lavender and old lace-第16章

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e。　I　kept　that　cat；　James；　as　you　may　say；　all　these　weary　years。　When　there　was　kittens；　I　kept　the　one　that　looked　most　like　old　Malty；　but　of　late　years；　the　cats　has　all　been　different；　and　the　one　I　buried　jest　afore　I　sailed　away　was　yeller　and　white　with　black　and　brown　spotsa　kinder　tortoise　shellthat　didn't　look　nothin'　like　Malty。　You'd　never　have　knowed　they　belonged　to　the　same　family；　but　I　was　sorry　when　she　died；　on　account　of　her　bein'　the　last　cat。〃

Hepsey；　half　frightened；　put　her　head　into　the　room。　〃Dinner's　ready；〃　she　shouted；　hurriedly　shutting　the　door。

〃Give　me　your　arm；　James；〃　said　Mrs。　Ball；　and　Ruth　followed　them　into　the　dining…room。

The　retired　sailor　ate　heartily；　casting　occasional　admiring　glances　at　Ruth　and　Hepsey。　It　was　the　innocent　approval　which　age　bestows　upon　youth。　〃These　be　the　finest　biscuit；〃　he　said；　〃that　I've　had　for　many　a　day。　I　reckon　you　made　'em；　didn't　you；　young　woman？〃

〃Yes；　sir；〃　replied　Hepsey；　twisting　her　apron。

The　bride　was　touched　in　a　vulnerable　spot。

〃Hepsey；〃　she　said；　decisively；　〃when　your　week　is　up；　you　will　no　longer　be　in　my　service。　I　am　a…goin'to　make　a　change。〃

Mr。　Ball's　knife　dropped　with　a　sharp　clatter。　〃Why；　Mis'　Ball；〃　he　said；　reproachfully；　〃who　air　you　goin'　to　hev　to　do　your　work？〃

〃Don't　let　that　trouble　you；　James；〃　she　answered；　serenely；　〃the　washin'　can　be　put　out　to　the　Widder　Pendleton；　her　as　was　Elmiry　Peavey；　and　the　rest　ain't　no　particular　trouble。〃

〃Aunty；〃　said　Ruth；　〃now　that　you've　come　home　and　everything　is　going　on　nicely；　I　think　I'd　better　go　back　to　the　city。　You　see；　if　I　stay　here；　I'll　be　interrupting　the　honeymoon。〃

〃No；　no；　Niece　Ruth！〃　exclaimed　Mr。　Ball；　〃you　ain't　interruptin'　no　honeymoon。　It's　a　great　pleasure　to　your　aunt　and　me　to　hev　you　herewe　likes　pretty　young　things　around　us；　and　as　long　as　we　hev　a　home；　you're　welcome　to　stay　in　it；　ain't　she　Jane？〃

〃She　has　sense　enough　to　see；　James；　that　she　is　interruptin'　the　honeymoon；〃　replied　Aunt　Jane；　somewhat　harshly。　〃On　account　of　her　mother　havin'　been　a　Hathaway　before　marriage；　she　knows　things。　Not　but　what　you　can　come　some　other　time；　Ruth；〃　she　added；　with　belated　hospitality。

〃Thank　you；　Aunty；　I　will。　I'll　stay　just　a　day　or　two　longer；　if　you　don't　mindjust　until　Mr。　Winfield　comes　back。　I　don't　know　just　where　to　write　to　him。〃

〃Mr。who？〃　demanded　Aunt　Jane；　looking　at　her　narrowly。

〃Mr。　Carl　Winfield；〃　said　Ruth；　crimsoning　〃the　man　I　am　going　to　marry。〃　The　piercing　eyes　were　still　fixed　upon　her。

〃Now　about　the　letters；　Aunty；〃　she　went　on；　in　confusion；　〃you　could　help　Uncle　James　with　the　book　much　better　than　I　could。　Of　course　it　would　have　to　be　done　under　your　supervision。〃

Mrs。　Ball　scrutinized　her　niece　long　and　carefully。　〃You　appear　to　be　tellin'　the　truth；〃　she　said。　〃Who　would　best　print　it？〃

〃I　think　it　would　be　better　for　you　to　handle　it　yourself；　Aunty；　and　then　you　and　Uncle　James　would　have　all　the　profits。　If　you　let　some　one　else　publish　it　and　sell　it；　you'd　have　only　ten　per　cent；　and　even　then；　you　might　have　to　pay　part　of　the　expenses。〃　　〃How　much　does　it　cost　to　print　a　book？〃

〃That　depends　on　the　book。　Of　course　it　costs　more　to　print　a　large　one　than　a　small　one。〃

〃That　needn't　make　no　difference；〃　said　Aunt　Jane；　after　long　deliberation。　〃James　has　two　hundred　dollars　sewed　up　on　the　inside　of　the　belt　he　insists　on　wearin'；　instead　of　Christian　suspenders；　ain't　you；　James？〃

〃Yes'm；　two　hundred　and　four　dollars　in　my　belt　and　seventy…six　cents　in　my　pocket。〃

〃It's　from　his　store；〃　Mrs。　Ball　explained。　〃He　sold　it　to　a　relative　of　one　of　them　heathen　women。〃

〃It　was　worth　more'n　three　hundred；〃　he　said　regretfully。

〃Now；　James；　you　know　a　small　store　like　that　ain't　worth　no　three　hundred　dollars。　I　wouldn't　have　let　you　took　three　hundred；　'cause　it　wouldn't　be　honest。〃

The　arrival　of　a　small　and　battered　trunk　created　a　welcome　diversion。　〃Where's　your　trunk；　Uncle　James？〃　asked　Ruth。

〃I　ain't　a　needin'　of　no　trunk；〃　he　answered；　〃what　clothes　I've　got　is　on　me；　and　that　there　valise　has　more　of　my　things　in　it。　When　my　clothes　wears　out；　I　put　on　new　ones　and　leave　the　others　for　some　pore　creeter　what　may　need　'em　worse'n　me。〃

Aunt　Jane　followed　Joe　upstairs；　issuing　caution　and　direction　at　every　step。　〃You　can　set　outside　now；　Joe　Pendleton；〃　she　said；　〃and　see　that　them　hosses　don't　run　away；　and　as　soon　as　I　get　some　of　my　things　hung　up　so's　they　won't　wrinkle　no　more；　I'll　come　out　and　pay　you。〃

Joe　obeyed；　casting　longing　eyes　at　a　bit　of　blue　gingham　that　was　fluttering　among　the　currant　bushes　in　the　garden。　Mr。　Ball；　longing　for　conversation　with　his　kind；　went　out　to　the　gate　and　stood　looking　up　at　him；　blinking　in　the　bright　sunlight。　〃Young　feller；〃　he　said；　〃I　reckon　that　starboard　hoss　is　my　old　mare。　Where'd　you　get　it？〃

〃Over　to　the　Ridge；〃　answered　Joe；　〃of　a　feller　named　Johnson。〃

〃Jest　soI　reckon　't　was　his　father　I　give　Nellie　to　when　I　went　away。　She　was　a　frisky　filly　thenshe　don't　look　nothin'　like　that　now。〃

〃Mamie〃　turned；　as　if　her　former　master's　voice　had　stirred　some　old　memory。　〃She's　got　the　evil　eye；〃　Mr。　Ball　continued。　〃You　wanter　be　keerful。〃

〃She's　all　right；　I　guess；〃　Joe　replied。

〃Young　feller；〃　said　Mr。　Ball　earnestly；　〃do　you　chew　terbacker？〃

〃Yep；　but　I　ain't　got　no　more。　I'm　on　the　last　hunk。〃

Mr。　Ball　stroked　his　stained　beard。　〃I　useter；〃　he　said；　reminiscently；　〃afore　I　was　merried。〃

Joe　whistled　idly；　still　watching　for　Hepsey。

〃Young　feller；　〃said　Mr。　Ball；　again；　〃there's　a　great　deal　of　merryin'　and　givin'　in　merriage　in　this　here　settlement；　ain't　there？〃

〃Not　so　much　as　there　might　be。〃

〃Say；　was　your　mother's　name　Elmiry　Peavey？〃

〃Yes　sir；〃　Joe　answered；　much　surprised。

〃Then　you　be　keerful；〃　cautioned　Mr。　Ball。　〃Your　hoss　has　got　the　evil　eye　and　your　father；　as　might　hev　been；　allers　had　a　weak　eye　fer　women。〃　Joe's　face　was　a　picture　of　blank　astonishment。　〃I　was　engaged　to　both　of　'em；〃　Mr。　Ball　explained；　〃each　one　a…keepin'　of　it　secret；　and　she〃　here　he　pointed　his　thumb　suggestively　toward　the　house〃she's　got　me。〃

〃I'm　going　to　be　married　myself；〃　volunteered　Joe；　proudly。

〃Merriage　is　a　fleetin'　showI　wouldn't；　if　I　was　in　your　place。　Merriage　is　a　drag　on　a　man's　ambitions。　I　set　out　to　own　a　schooner；　but　I　can't　never　do　it　now；　on　account　of　bein'　merried。　I　had　a　good　start　towards　itI　had　a　little　store　all　to　myself；　what　was　worth　three　or　four　hundred　dollars；　in　a　sunny　country　where　the　women　folks　had　soft　voices　and　pretty　ankles　and　wasn't　above　passin'　jokes　with　an　old　feller　to　cheer　'im　on　'is　lonely　way。〃

Mrs。　Ball　appeared　at　the　upper　window。　〃James；〃　she　called；　〃you'd　better　come　in　and　get　your　hat。　Your　bald　spot　will　get　all　sunburned。〃

〃I　guess　I　won't　wait　no　longer；　Miss　Hathaway；〃　Joe　shouted；　and；　suiting　the　action　to　the　word；　turned　around　and　started　down　hill。　Mr。　Ball；　half　way　up　the　gravelled　walk；　turned　back　to　smile　at　Joe　with　feeble　jocularity。

Hearing　the　familiar　voice；　Hepsey　hastened　to　the　front　of　the　house；　and　was　about　to　retreat；　when　Mr。　Ball　stopped　her。

〃Pore　little　darlin'；　he　said；　kindly；　noting　her　tear　stained　face。　〃Don't　gowait　a　minute。〃　He　fumbled　at　his　belt　and　at　last　extracted　a　crisp；　new　ten　dollar　bill。　〃Here；　take　that　and　buy　you　a　ribbon　or　sunthin'　to　remember　your　lovin'　Uncle　James　by。〃

Hepsey's　face　brightened；　and　she　hastily　concealed　the　bill　in　her　dress。　〃I　ain't　your　niece；〃　she　said；　hesitatingly；　〃it's　Miss　Thorne。〃

〃That　don't　make　no　difference；〃　rejoined　Mr。　Ball；　generously；　〃I'm　willin'　you　should　be　my　niece　too。　All　pretty　young　things　is　my　nieces　and　I　loves　'em　all。　Won't　you　give　your　pore　old　uncle　a　kiss　to　remember　you　by？〃

Ruth；　who　had　heard　the　last　words；　came　down　to　the　gravelled　walk。　〃Aunt　Jane　is　coming；〃　she　announced；　and　Hepsey　fled。

When　the　lady　of　the　house　appeared；　Uncle　James　was　sitting　at　one　end　of　the　piazza　and　Ruth　at　the　other；　exchanging　decorous　commonplaces。



XIII。　Plans

Hepsey　had　been　gone　an　hour　before　Mrs。　Ball　realised　that　she　had　sent　away　one　of　the　witnesses　of　her　approaching　wedding。　〃It　don't　matter；〃　she　said　to　Ruth；　〃I　guess　there's　others　to　be　had。　I've　got　the　dress　and　the　man　and　one　of　'em　and　I　have　faith　that　the　other　things　will　come。〃

Nevertheless；　the　problem　assumed　undue　proportions。　After　long　study；　she　decided　upon　the　minister's　wife。　〃If　'twa'nt　that　the　numskulls　round　here　couldn't　understand　two　weddin's；〃　she　said；　〃I'd　have　it　in　the　church；　as　me　and　James　first　planned。〃

Preparations　for　the　ceremony　went　forward　with　Aunt　Jane's　customary　decision　and　briskness。　She　made　a　wedding　cake；　assisted　by　Mr。　Ball；　and　gathered　all　the　flowers　in　the　garden。　There　was　something　pathetic　about　her　pleasure；　it　was　as　though　a　wedding　had　been　laid　away　in　lavender；　not　to　see　the　light　for　more　than　thirty　years。

Ruth　was　to　assist　in　dressing　the　bride　and　then　go　after　the　minister　and　his　wife；　who；　by　Aunt　Jane's　decree；　were　to　have　no　previous　warning。　〃'T　ain't　necessary　to　tell　'em　beforehand；　not　as　I　see；〃　said　Mrs。　Ball。　〃You　must　ask　fust　if　they're　both　to　home；　and　if　only　one　of　'em　is　there；　you'll　have　to　find　somebody　else。　If　the　minister's　to　home　and　his　wife　ain't　gaddin'；　he'll　get　them　four　dollars　in　James's　belt；　leavin'　an　even　two　hundred；　or　do　you　think　two　dollars　would　be　enough　for　a　plain　marriage？〃

〃I'd　leave　that　to　Uncle　James；　Aunty。〃

〃I　reckon　you're　right；　Ruthyou've　got　the　Hathaway　sense。〃

The　old　wedding　gown　was　brought　down　from　the　attic　and　taken　out　of　its　winding　sheet。　It　had　been　carefully　folded；　but　every　crease　showed　plainly　and　parts　of　it　had　changed　in　colour。　Aunt　Jane　put　on　her　best　〃foretop；〃　which　was　entirely　dark；　with　no　softening　grey　hair；　and　was　reserved　for　occasions　of　high　state。　A　long　brown　curl；　which　was　hers　by　right　of　purchase；　was　pinned　to　the　hard；　uncompromising　twist　at　the　back　of　her　neck。

Ruth　helped　her　into　the　gown　and；　as　it　slipped　over　her　head；　she　inquired；　fiom　the　depths　of　it：　〃Is　the　front　door　locked？〃　〃Yes；　Aunty；　and　the　back　door　too。〃

〃Did　you　bring　up　the　keys　as　I　told　you　to？〃

〃Yes；　Aunty；　here　they　are。　Why？〃

There　was　a　pause；　then　Mrs。　Ball　said　solemnly：　〃I've　read　a　great　deal　about　bridegrooms　havin'　wanderin'　fits　immediately　before　weddin's。　Does　my　dress　hike　up　in　the　back；　Ruth？〃

It　was　a　little　shorter　in　the　back　than　in　the　front　and　cleared　the　floor　on　all　sides；　since　she　had　grown　a　little　after　it　was　made；　but　Ruth　assured　her　that　everything　was　all　right。　When　they　went　downstairs　together；　Mr。　Ball　was　sitting　in　the　parlour；　plainly　nervous。

〃Now　Ruth；〃　said　Aunt　Jane；　〃you　can　go　after　the　minister。　My　first　choice　is　Methodis'；　after　that　Baptis'　and　then　Presbyterian。　I　will　entertain　James　durin'　your　absence。〃

Ruth　was　longing　for　fresh　air　and　gladly　undertook　the　delicate　mission。　Before　she　was　half　way　down　the　hill；　she　met　Winfield；　who　had　come　on　the　afternoon　train。

〃You're　just　in　time　to　see　a　wedding；〃　she　said；　when　the　first　raptures　had　subsided。

〃Whose　we