Ivory's strength called to hers
and answered it, just as his great need awoke such a power of
helpfulness in her as she did not know she possessed. She loved
the man, but she loved the task that beckoned her, too. The
vision of it was like the breath of wind from a hill-top, putting
salt and savor into the new life that opened before her.
These were quietly happy days at the farm, for Mrs. Boynton took
a new, if transient, hold upon life that deceived even the
doctor. Rodman was nearly as ardent a lover as Ivory, hovering
about Waits ill and exclaiming, "You never stay to supper and
it's so lonesome evenings without you! Will it never be time for
you to come and Eve with us, Waity dear? The days crawl so
slowly!" At which Ivory would laugh, push him away and draw
Waitstill nearer to his own side, saying: "If you are in a hurry,
you young cormorant, what do you think of me?" And Waitstill
would look from one to the other and blush at the heaven of love
that surrounded her on every side.
"I believe you are longing to begin on my cooking, you two big
greedy boys!" she said teasingly. "What shall we have for New
Year's dinner, Rod? Do you like a turkey, roasted brown and
crispy, with giblet gravy and cranberry jelly? Do you fancy an
apple dumpling afterwards,--an apple dumpling with potato
crust,--or will you have a suet pudding with
foamy sauce?"
"Stop, Waitstill!" cried Ivory.
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