"Glad! I thank God every night and morning; I thank Him every time I go running down the lane to meet my husband coming up from the meadow! Of course I know, Georgiana, that the life I'm living isn't the typical life of the farmer's wife at all--thanks to Jimps' success and my own little pocket-book! But it has all outdoors in it and lots of lovely indoors; and I'm growing so well and strong--you can see that by just looking at me. And I'm getting to know my neighbours, and like them--some of them--oh, so much! Life never was so full. Mother talks about how hard I'll find it to get through my second winter. It doesn't worry me. We'll order books and books, and we'll go for splendid tramps, and every now and then we'll run into town--for concerts and plays. And best of all, Georgiana,"--her voice sank--"I'm sure--sure--Jimps isn't disappointed in me." "Disappointed! I should say not--the lucky boy!" Georgiana agreed, all her fears gone to the winds. * * * * * When they returned to the porch it was to hear an outcry from Jeannette's mother: "Chester Crofton! Have you gone absolutely crazy?" "I think so, mother. Positively dippy. Got it in its worst form. It's been coming on me for some time, but it's taken me now, for better or for worse. I'm going to buy that small farm across the road and try what I can do." "I'll back you," came in Mr. Thomas Crofton's deepest chest tones. "Hear, hear!" Dr. Jefferson Craig's shout drowned out Mrs. Crofton's groan. "O Ches--I'll come and keep house for you--part of the year, anyhow!" This was dainty Rosalie, her silk-stockinged ankles swinging wildly, as she sat upon the porch rail. Georgiana was laughing, as her eyes met her husband's in a glance of understanding, but her heart was very warm behind the laughter. Beyond the gleam of the lanterns she caught the golden glow of a summer moon rising, to illumine the depths of the country sky--the immense, star-spangled arch of the heavens. Beneath lay many homes, big and little, all filled with human lives, each with its chance somehow to grow; each with its chance, small or great, as a beloved writer has said inspiringly, "_to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars._" THE END End of Project Gutenberg's Under the Country Sky, by Grace S. Richmond