go away off somewhere and attend college and be a
lady. And here I am at nineteen, still feeding the pigs and milking
the cows. I guess I haven't any of the Lindsay luck."

"The Lindsay luck was always spelled with a p in front, my lass, and a
capital P at that. You can have all of that ye want."

They went back up the blossoming orchard path, stopping at the pump,
which was mid-way to the house, to take up a pail of water. They left
it at the back door under the vines, and Uncle Neil went round to the
garden at the other side of the old rambling house, to help his sister
with her onions. Christina ran round to the side door where Grandpa
was sitting in the sun on the old sloping porch. The old man saw her
coming and drew back behind the vines. As she shot round the corner of
the house he poked out his head suddenly with a loud and alarming "Boo!"

Christina jumped back with a scream that set the old man laughing
heartily and kept him chuckling for an hour afterwards. Every morning
of her life Grandpa played this little trick upon her from some corner,
and Christina never forgot to scream in terror, and Grandpa's amusement
was never abated.

She slapped him for frightening her, adding hugely to his enjoyment,
and ran on into the kitchen. Ellen was almost ready to put the clothes
on the line and Christina gave her a helping hand before going on with
her own work, reminding her meanwhile of the pink dress that must be
ready before the evening.

"We'll have to hire a woman to do the baking, and I guess Grandpa'll
have to do the washing when you leave," declared Christina. "I'd make
a bargain with Bruce, if I were you, that he's to do the washing
himself, before I'd marry him."

Ellen laughed gaily. She and Bruce McKenzie had been sweethearts ever
since their public school days, and the next Christmas they were going
to start life together on Bruce's farm. Ellen was very radiant these
days and Christina's warnings were a source of amusement.

When the snowy array was hung in the sunshine, Christina went down into
the cool spring house to her churning. She stood at the door, whirling
the dasher and looking up into the blossoming orchard, but seeing none
of it. She was really very much concerned over this bald spot of Mr.
Opportunity. She had surely let him slip past her many a time, and
here she was at nineteen and who knew if he would come again?

"I just _won't_ stay here working at you forever, now