“Why, it is that there is no place in the world like the little farm, and that no girl was ever blessed with such a good brother and husband as I am.” And she danced off and saluted Mrs. Higgins with a hug and a kiss, and then donning one of those immense gingham aprons, that seemed to infold her in a most coquettish manner, she bustled around, intent on her household duties, with such a charming assumption of matronliness that she most certainly would have won the heart of any man who could have seen it. As for the hearts of those two, why, she already owned them. And then to see her when the supper work was all done, and the room straightened up again! To see her then perched on the arm of her brother’s chair, detailing to him all the adventures of that marvelous two weeks! How happy she was, and how fondly Clinton would look at her! No wonder Jim thought less of the future. Forebodings would have to be very dark indeed that Norine’s bright face could not banish. And, in fact, Jim’s doubts for the future very soon disappeared. Clinton proved himself such a wonderful fellow around the farm; there was scarcely a tool or an appliance about the place that he did not improve in some respect. Not that he was at all energetic; he spent far more time in lounging around the house than Jim did, and would very often laugh at himself for a lazy fellow that was always pottering around. Yet, he pottered around effectively, Jim thought. And when he, with certain pulleys and a rope, arranged a complicated affair in the loft of the big red barn that would actually unload and store away the hay almost automatically, Jim thought he was a wonderful fellow indeed, and began to feel quite proud of his talented brother-in-law. So the summer and fall passed, and the storms of winter were raging around the little cottage before Clinton showed any signs of dissatisfaction with his life on the farm. Then, indeed, he did get a little gloomy, and at times uncertain as to his temper. He had not entirely recovered his strength, and the farm life in winter was very dull to one accustomed, as he had been, to the roar and excitement of a large city. And thinking thus, they bore with him patiently, and only Jim began to think his old fears were well-founded. But the winter passed without any outbreak to mar their happiness, and with the summer came Norine’s baby. Such a baby, Mrs. Higgins testified, there never had been before! And Doctor Conway vowed that he was proud to be professionally connected with such a child. Of course Norine believed them. It was not necessary that they should tell _her_ so; she _knew_ that there never was such a baby before. And she devoted herself to it, showing all the loveliest grace of maternity, and looking so beautiful in her young dignity that the men folks thought her almost as wonderful as the baby.