"But you've promised me," she urged. "Remember I've been resting nearly all day. I'm used to sewing, and earned my living at it. Somehow, it don't seem natural for me to sit with idle hands." "If I hadn't promised--" "But you have." "I suppose I'm fairly caught," and he brought down a little of the most pressing of the mending. "Now I'll reward you," she said, handing him his pipe, well filled. "You go in the parlor and have a quiet smoke. I won't be long in clearing up the kitchen." "What! Smoke in the parlor?" "Yes, why not? I assure you I don't mind it." "Ha! Ha! Why didn't I think of it before--I might have kept the parlor and smoked Mrs. Mumpson out." "It won't be smoke that will keep me out." "I should hope not, or anything else. I must tell you how I DID have to smoke Mrs. Mumpson out at last," and he did so with so much drollery that she again yielded to irrepressible laughter. "Poor thing! I'm sorry for her," she said. "I'm sorry for Jane--poor little stray cat of a child! I hope we can do something for her some day," and having lighted his pipe, he took up the county paper, left weekly in a hollow tree by the stage driver, and went into the parlor. After freshening up the fire he sat down to read, but by the time she joined him the tired man was nodding. He tried to brighten up, but his eyes were heavy. "You've worked hard today," she said sympathetically. "Well, I have," he answered. "I've not done such a good day's work in a year." "Then why don't you go to sleep at once?" "It don't seem polite--" "Please don't talk that way," she interrupted. "I don't mind being alone at all. I shall feel a great deal more at home if you forget all about ceremony." "Well, Alida, I guess we had both better begin on that basis. If I give up when I'm tired, you must. You mustn't think I'm always such a sleepyhead. The fact is I've been more tired out with worry of late than with work. I can laugh about it now, but I've been so desperate over it that I've felt more like swearing. You'll find out I've become a good deal of a heathen." "Very well; I'll wait till I find out." "I think we are getting acquainted famously, don't you?" "Yes," she nodded, with a smile that meant more than a long speech. "Good night." Chapter XXIII. Between the Past and Future