lavender and old lace-第17章

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

〃Whose　wedding；　sweetheart？　Ours？〃

〃Far　from　it；〃　answered　Ruth；　laughing。　〃Come　with　me　and　I'll　explain。〃

She　gave　him　a　vivid　description　of　the　events　that　had　transpired　during　his　absence；　and　had　invited　him　to　the　wedding　before　it　occurred　to　her　that　Aunt　Jane　might　not　be　pleased。　〃I　may　be　obliged　to　recall　my　invitation；〃　she　said　seriously；　〃I'll　have　to　ask　Aunty　about　it。　She　may　not　want　you。〃

〃That　doesn't　make　any　difference；〃　announced　Winfield；　in　high　spirits；　〃I'm　agoin'　to　the　wedding　and　I'm　a…goin'　to　kiss　the　bride；　if　you'll　let　me。〃

Ruth　smothered　a　laugh。　〃You　may；　if　you　want　to；　and　I　won't　be　jealous。　Isn't　that　sweet　of　me？〃

〃You're　always　sweet；　dear。　Is　this　the　abode　of　the　parson？〃

The　Methodist　minister　was　at　home；　but　his　wife　was　not；　and　Ruth　determined　to　take　Winfield　in　her　place。　The　clergyman　said　that　he　would　come　immediately；　and；　as　the　lovers　loitered　up　the　hill；　they　arrived　at　the　same　time。

Winfield　was　presented　to　the　bridal　couple；　but　there　was　no　time　for　conversation；　since　Aunt　Jane　was　in　a　hurry。　After　the　brief　ceremony　was　over；　Ruth　said　wickedly：

〃Aunty；　on　the　way　to　the　minister's；　Mr。　Winfield　told　me　he　was　going　to　kiss　the　bride。　I　hope　you　don't　mind？〃

Winfield　looked　unutterable　things　at　Ruth；　but　nobly　fulfilled　the　obligation。　Uncle　James　beamed　upon　Ruth　in　a　way　which　indicated　that　an　attractive　idea　lay　behind　it；　and　Winfield　created　a　diversion　by　tipping　over　a　vase　of　flowers。　〃He　shan't；〃　he　whispered　to　Ruth；　〃I'll　be　darned　if　he　shall！〃

〃Ruth；〃　said　Aunt　Jane；　after　a　close　scrutiny　of　Winfield；　〃if　you'　relayin'　out　to　marry　that　awkward　creeter；　what　ain't　accustomed　to　a　parlour；　you'd　better　do　it　now；　while　him　and　the　minister　are　both　here。〃

Winfield　was　willing；　but　Ruth　said　that　one　wedding　at　a　time　was　enough　in　any　family；　and　the　minister；　pledged　to　secrecy；　took　his　departure。　The　bride　cut　the　wedding　cake　and　each　solemnly　ate　a　piece　of　it。　It　was　a　sacrament；　rather　than　a　festivity。

When　the　silence　became　oppressive；　Ruth　suggested　a　walk。

〃You　will　set　here；　Niece　Ruth；〃　remarked　Aunt　Jane；　〃until　I　have　changed　my　dress。〃

Uncle　James　sighed　softly；　as　she　went　upstairs。　〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃I'm　merried　now；　hard　and　fast；　and　there　ain't　no　help　for　it；　world　without　end。〃

〃Cheer　up；　Uncle；〃　said　Winfield；　consolingly；　〃it　might　be　worse。〃

〃It's　come　on　me　all　of　a　sudden；〃　he　rejoined。　〃I　ain't　had　no　time　to　prepare　for　it；　as　you　may　say。　Little　did　I　think；　three　weeks　ago；　as　I　set　in　my　little　store；　what　was　wuth　four　or　five　hundred　dollars；　that　before　the　month　was　out；　I'd　be　merried。　Me！　Merried！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃Me；　as　never　thought　of　sech！〃

When　Mrs。　Ball　entered；　clad　in　sombre　calico；　Ruth；　overcome　by　deep　emotion；　led　her　lover　into　the　open　air。　〃It's　bad　for　you　to　stay　in　there；　〃she　said　gravely；　〃when　you　are　destined　to　meet　the　same　fate。〃

〃I've　had　time　to　prepare　for　it；〃　he　answered；　〃in　fact；　I've　had　more　time　than　I　want。〃

They　wandered　down　the　hillside　with　aimless　leisure；　and　Ruth　stooped　to　pick　up　a　large；　grimy　handkerchief；　with　〃C。　W。〃　in　the　corner。　〃Here's　where　we　were　the　other　morning；〃　she　said。

〃Blessed　spot；〃　he　responded；　〃beautiful　Hepsey　and　noble　Joe！　By　what　humble　means　are　great　destinies　made　evident！　You　haven't　said　you　were　glad　to　see　me；　dear。〃

〃I'm　always　glad　to　see　you；　Mr。　Winfield；〃　she　replied　primly。

〃Mr。　Winfield　isn't　my　name；〃　he　objected；　taking　her　into　his　arms。

〃Carl；〃　she　whispered　shyly；　to　his　coat　collar。

〃That　isn't　all　of　it。〃

〃Carldear〃　said　Ruth；　with　her　face　crimson。

〃That's　more　like　it。　Now　let's　sit　downI've　brought　you　something　and　you　have　three　guesses。〃

〃Returned　manuscript？〃

〃No；　you　said　they　were　all　in。〃

〃Another　piece　of　Aunt　Jane's　wedding　cake？〃

〃No；　guess　again。〃

〃Chocolates？〃

〃Who'd　think　you　were　so　stupid；〃　he　said；　putting　two　fingers　into　his　waistcoat　pocket。

〃Ohh！〃　gasped　Ruth；　in　delight。

〃You　funny　girl；　didn't　you　expect　an　engagement　ring？　Let's　see　if　it　fits。〃

He　slipped　the　gleaming　diamond　on　her　finger　and　it　fitted　exactly。　〃How　did　you　guess？〃　she　asked；　after　a　little。

〃It　wasn't　wholly　guess　work；　dearest。〃　From　another　pocket；　he　drew　a　glove；　of　grey　suede；　that　belonged　to　Ruth's　left　hand。

〃Where　did　you　get　that？〃

〃By　the　log　across　the　path；　that　first　day；　when　you　were　so　cross　to　me。〃

〃I　wasn't　cross！〃

〃Yes　you　wereyou　were　a　little　fiend。〃

〃Will　you　forgive　me？〃　she　pleaded；　lifting　her　face　to　his。

〃Rather！〃　He　forgave　her　half　a　dozen　times　before　she　got　away　from　him。　〃Now　let's　talk　sense；〃　she　said。

〃We　can'tI　never　expect　to　talk　sense　again。〃

〃Pretty　compliment；　isn't　it？〃　she　asked。　〃It's　like　your　telling　me　I　was　brilliant　and　then　saying　I　wasn't　at　all　like　myself。〃　〃Won't　you　forgive　me？〃　he　inquired　significantly。

〃Some　other　time；〃　she　said；　flushing；　〃now　what　are　we　going　to　do？〃

〃Well；〃　he　began；　〃I　saw　the　oculist；　and　he　says　that　my　eyes　are　almost　well　again；　but　that　I　mustn't　use　them　for　two　weeks　longer。　Then；　I　can　read　or　write　for　two　hours　every　day；　increasing　gradually　as　long　as　they　don't　hurt。　By　the　first　of　October；　he　thinks　I'll　be　ready　for　work　again。　Carlton　wants　me　to　report　on　the　morning　of　the　fifth；　and　he　offers　me　a　better　salary　than　I　had　on　The　Herald。〃

〃That's　good！〃

〃We'll　have　to　have　a　flat　in　the　city；　or　a　little　house　in　the　country；　near　enough　for　me　to　get　to　the　offce。〃

〃For　us　to　get　to　the　office；〃　supplemented　Ruth。

〃What　do　you　think　you're　going　to　do；　Miss　Thorne？〃

〃WhyI'm　going　to　keep　right　on　with　the　paper；〃　she　answered　in　surprise。

〃No　you're　not；　darling；〃　he　said；　putting　his　arm　around　her。　〃Do　you　suppose　I'm　going　to　have　Carlton　or　any　other　man　giving　my　wife　an　assignment？　You　can't　any　way；　because　I've　resigned　your　position　for　you；　and　your　place　is　already　filled。　Carlton　sent　his　congratulations　and　said　his　loss　was　my　gain；　or　something　like　that。　He　takes　all　the　credit　to　himself。〃

〃Whywhyyou　wretch！〃

〃I'm　not　a　wretchyou　said　yourself　I　was　nice。　Look　here；　Ruth；〃　he　went　on；　in　a　different　tone；　〃what　do　you　think　I　am？　Do　you　think　for　a　minute　that　I'd　marry　you　if　I　couldn't　take　care　of　you？〃

〃'T　isn't　that；〃　she　replied；　freeing　herself　from　his　encircling　arm；　〃but　I　like　my　work　and　I　don't　want　to　give　it　up。　Besides　besidesI　thought　you'd　like　to　have　me　near　you。〃

〃I　do　want　you　near　me；　sweetheart；　that　isn't　the　point。　You　have　the　same　right　that　I　have　to　any　work　that　is　your　natural　expression；　but；　in　spite　of　the　advanced　age　in　which　we　live；　I　can't　help　believing　that　home　is　the　place　for　a　woman。　I　may　be　old…fashioned；　but　I　don't　want　my　wife　working　down　townI've　got　too　much　pride　for　that。　You　have　your　typewriter；　and　you　can　turn　out　Sunday　specials　by　the　yard；　if　you　want　to。　Besides；　there　are　all　the　returned　manuscriptsif　you　have　the　time　and　aren't　hurried；　there's　no　reason　why　you　shouldn't　do　work　that　they　can't　afford　to　refuse。〃

Ruth　was　silent；　and　he　laid　his　hand　upon　hers。　〃You　understand　me；　don't　you；　dear？　God　knows　I'm　not　asking　you　to　let　your　soul　rust　out　in　idleness；　and　I　wouldn't　have　you　crave　expression　that　was　denied　you；　but　I　don't　want　you　to　have　to　work　when　you　don't　feel　like　it；　nor　be　at　anybody's　beck　and　call。　I　know　you　did　good　work　on　the　paperCarlton　spoke　of　it；　toobut　others　can　do　it　as　well。　I　want　you　to　do　something　that　is　so　thoroughly　you　that　no　one　else　can　do　it。　It's　a　hard　life；　Ruth；　you　know　that　as　well　as　I　do；　and　II　love　you。〃

His　last　argument　was　convincing。　〃I　won't　do　anything　you　don't　want　me　to　do；　dear；〃　she　said；　with　a　new　humility。

〃I　want　you　to　be　happy；　dearest；〃　he　answered；　quickly。　〃Just　try　my　way　for　a　yearthat's　all　I　ask。　I　know　your　independence　is　sweet　to　you；　but　the　privilege　of　working　for　you　with　hand　and　brain；　with　your　love　in　my　heart；　with　you　at　home；　to　be　proud　of　me　when　I　succeed　and　to　give　me　new　courage　when　I　fail；　why；　it's　the　sweetest　thing　I've　ever　known。〃

〃I'll　have　to　go　back　to　town　very　soon；　though；〃　she　said；　a　little　later；　〃I　am　interrupting　the　honeymoon。〃

〃We'll　have　one　of　our　own　very　soon　that　you　can't　interrupt；　and；　when　you　go　back；　I'm　going　with　you。　We'll　buy　things　for　the　house。〃

〃We　need　lots　of　things；　don't　we？〃　she　asked。

〃I　expect　we　do；　darling；　but　I　haven't　the　least　idea　what　they　are。　You'll　have　to　tell　me。〃

〃Oriental　rugs；　for　one　thing；〃　she　said；　〃and　a　mahogany　piano；　and　an　instrument　to　play　it　with；　because　I　haven't　any　parlour　tricks；　and　some　good　pictures；　and　a　waffle　iron　and　a　porcelain　rolling　pin。〃

〃What　do　you　know　about　rolling　pins　and　waffle　irons？〃　he　asked　fondly。

〃My　dear　boy；〃　she　replied；　patronisingly；　　〃you　forget　that　in　the　days　when　I　was　a　free　and　independent　woman；　I　was　on　a　newspaper。　I　know　lots　of　things　that　are　utterly　strange　to　you；　because；　in　all　probability；　you　never　ran　a　woman's　department。　If　you　want　soup；　you　must　boil　meat　slowly；　and　if　you　want　meat；　you　must　boil　it　rapidly；　and　if　dough　sticks　to　a　broom　straw　when　you　jab　it　into　a　cake；　it　isn't　done。〃

He　laughed　joyously。　〃How　about　the　porcelain　rolling　pin？〃

〃It's　germ　proof；〃　she　rejoined；　soberly。

〃Are　we　going　to　keep　house　on　the　antiseptic　plan？〃

〃We　areit's　better　than　the　installment　plan；　isn't　it？　Oh；　Carl！〃　she　exclaimed；　〃I've　had　the　brightest　idea！〃

〃Spring　it！〃　he　demanded。

〃Why；　Aunt　Jane's　attic　is　full　of　old　furniture；　and　I　believe　she'll　give　it　to　us！〃

His　face　fell。　〃How　charming；〃　he　said；　without　emotion。

〃Oh；　you　stupid；〃　she　laughed；　〃it's　colonial　mahogany；　every　stick　of　it！　It　only　needs　to　be　done　over！〃

〃Ruth；　you're　a　genius。〃

〃Wait　till　I　get　it；　before　you　praise　me。　Just　stay　here　a　minute　and　I'll　run　up　to　see　what　frame　of　mind　she's　in。〃

When　she　entered　the　kitchen；　the　bride　was　busily　engaged　in　getting　supper。　Uncle　James；　with　a　blue　gingham　apron　tied　under　his　arms；　was　awkwardly　peeling　potatoes。　〃Oh；　how　good　that　smells！〃　exclaimed　Ruth；　as　a　spicy　sheet　of　gingerbread　was　taken　out　of　the　oven。

Aunt　Jane　looked　at　her　kindly；　with　gratified　pride　beaming　from　every　feature。　〃I　wish　you'd　teach　me　to　cook；　Aunty；〃　she　continued；　following　up　her　advantage；　〃you　know　I'm　going　to　marry　Mr。　Winfield。〃

〃Why；　yes；　I'll　teach　youwhere　is　he？〃

〃He's　outsideI　just　came　in　to　speak　to　you　a　minute。〃

〃You　can　ask　him　to　supper　if　you　want　to。〃

〃Thank　you；　Aunty；　that's　lovely　of　you。　I　know　he'll　like　to　stay。〃

〃James；〃　said　Mrs。　Ball；　〃you're　peelin'　them　pertaters　with　thick　peelins'and　you'll　land　in　the　poorhouse。　I've　never　knowed　it　to　fail。〃

〃I　wanted　to　ask　you　something；　Aunty；〃　Ruth　went　on　quickly；　though　feeling　that　the　moment　was　not　auspicious；　〃you　know　all　that　old　furniture　up　in　the　attic？〃

〃Well；　what　of　it？〃

〃Whywhyyou　aren't　using　it；　you　know；　and　I　thought　perhaps　you'd　be　willing　to　give　it　to　us；　so　that　we　can　go　to　h