Even her enjoyment
at the few social gatherings she was permitted to attend in the
neighborhood was marred by the knowledge that she could not entertain
her young friends in return. She had attempted once to fix up the
"spare room" and have a fire for some company, but her father had
peremptorily forbidden it. "I'd like to know," he said, "why the
settin'-room ain't good enough! If your company is too nice to be with
the rest of the family they can stay away, miss."
And "they" generally did stay away after one visit. Mr. Stillman was
not a success as a host, young people thought; and a young minister
who came home from meeting one Sunday with Elizabeth was so completely
abashed by the cool reception he met that not even the daughter's
pleading eyes could persuade him to remain in her father's presence. A
few weeks after, he went to a distant appointment; and Elizabeth's sad
face grew sadder than ever.
Jim Lansing, the son of a widow who managed a farm and two grown sons
with equal skill, was more successful. He usually brought his mother
with him; and, while she entertained Mr. and Mrs. Stillman, Jim, the
girls, and the carpet rags escaped to the kitchen.
But spring was near, and Margaret thought: "He can't keep us out of
the spare room in summer; and, besides, we can be out-of-doors.
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