gnity. "I didn't think Abel's relations would lay it up
against me if I didn't."

The large man's face worked; tears rolled down his great cheeks. He
pulled out a red handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

"You'd ought to had a white handkerchief, father," whispered the
little woman; then she turned to Ann. "I'm sure I don't want to lay
up anything," said she.

"I don't think you have any call to," responded Ann. "I haven't
anything more to say. If you feel like staying to supper I shall be
glad to have you, but I don't feel as if I had strength to urge
anybody."

The large man sobbed audibly in his red handkerchief. His wife cast
an impatient glance at him. "Well, if that is the way it was, of
course we shall all be happy to stay and have a cup of tea," said
she. "We've got a long ride before us, and I don't feel quite as well
as common this spring. Of course I didn't understand how it happened,
and I felt kind of hurt; it was only natural. I see how it was, now.
'Lisha, hadn't you better slip out and see how the horse is
standing?" The little woman thrust her own white handkerchief into
her husband's hand as he started. "You put that red one under the
wagon seat," she whispered loud in his ear. Then she and the little
girls in blue returned to their chairs. The rest of the company had
been listening with furtive attention. Jerome had been trembling with
indignation at his mother's side. He looked at the large man, and
wondered impatiently why he did not shake that small woman, since he
was able. There was as yet no leniency on the score of sex in the
boy. He would have well liked to fly at that little wrathful body who
was attacking his mother, and also blaming him for not riding those
ten miles to notify her of the funeral. He scowled hard at her and
the three little girls after they had returned to their seats. One of
the girls, a pretty child with red curls, caught his frown, and
stared at him with scared but fascinated blue eyes.

Supper was announced shortly. Belinda Lamb, instigated by Paulina
Maria, stood in the door and said, with melancholy formality, "Will
you come out now and have a little refreshment before you go home?"

Ann did not stir. The others went out lingeringly, holding back for
politeness' sake; she sat still with her black veil over her face and
her black gloved hands crossed in her lap. Paulina Maria came to her
and tried to induce her to remove her bonnet and have some tea with
the rest,