Domestic fiction; New England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
"Well, yes. Grandpa has kept me pretty close to work in ours. I've
been down to the judge's some, too; and Sandy Scott, his gardener, has
given me a good many hints, and has promised to see to my work a little.
I am not afraid, not a mite. And if you'll let me have your garden,
grandpa'll let me have his, I guess; and between the two I can make
something, I know."
"I should have to think about it first, Jabez."
"Oh, yes. I am not in a hurry for a day or two."
"And I shouldn't like to do anything that your grandfather might object
to. I should have to talk with him about it."
"And what about your grandmother's churn in the meantime?" Fidelia
added.
"That's so! I'd 'most forgot it. I must hurry up. Here's the doctor!"
Fidelia was gently patting the loaf she had just put into the pan as the
doctor came in.
"Good morning, Miss Eunice! Fidelia, _that_ is after all the true
woman's work. `Loaf-maker'--or is it loaf-giver?--is the true
derivation of `lady,' they say. But I hope you have nearly done. Her
mother could not spare Susie to come up this morning, so I promised I
would send you down."
"I should like to go, but--"
"Cannot you spare her, Miss Eunice? You can walk, Fidelia, you know,
and when I come back from the Corners I'll bring your sister down with
me, if she will let me; and Susie shall drive you both home in the
evening."
When the doctor had driven off, Jabez once more looked in at the door.
"There is no particular hurry, Miss Eunice. Only I've had my hot-beds
all agoing three weeks ago, and I'd like to know as soon as ever you've
made up your mind."
"To-morrow, perhaps, I'll let you know about it," said Miss Eunice.
When her sister had gone, Eunice moved about the house, giving a touch
here and another there, till her bread was ready for the oven; and then
she set the front door wide open and sat down in the porch, for the day
was as bright and warmer than yesterday had been. She had much to think
about. It did not take her long to decide that Jabez should have the
garden, if his grandfather did not object. She had not strength for the
garden now, and Fidelia would have a better visit. How bright and eager
the child was, and how much she had accomplished!
"I knew she would do well; and I must not be discouraged, though she has
not yet caught the spirit of the place. She has been so intent on her
work, that she has given herself no time to think of higher things. But
His time will come. `One thing have I desired of the Lord' for my
darling, and He will grant it, _that_ I know, whether I shall see it in
this world, or wait till we meet in the next, where her mother and mine
await us both."
She closed her eyes, and sat motionless till the sound of wheels reached
her ears.
"The doctor! I will not go down with him, and I hope he will be willing
to wait till Fidelia goes before he speaks. I will go out to the gate,
and he may not come in to-day."
She rose and stood waiting for him at the gate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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