Well, he got along fine.
Didn't seem to mind it a bit. When it came the twenty-fifth day and
everybody was congratulating him on making his money so easy, he up and
quit. 'No use, boys,' he said, when they began to tell him what a fool
he was. 'I've just naturally got to the stopping-point.' And it's the
same with me. I've done my sewing and haven't fretted over it, though
when I think of the millions and millions of stitches I've taken in
twenty years, I wonder I haven't turned into a sewing-machine. But
I've got to the stopping-point now. It's more'n likely I'll buy my own
clothes ready-made, after this."

In a month's time the old house was transformed beyond recognition, the
fresh paint of the exterior holding its own bravely against the
pretensions of the fresh paper and new carpets within. Thomas Hardin
had sent to Boston for those carpets, the patterns in stock not
satisfying Persis' exacting ideas. The transaction had been conducted
with businesslike despatch on both sides, though on one occasion Thomas
relaxed his dignity sufficiently to say, "Guess you're going to look
pretty fine up there."

Persis dryly admitted the prospective improvement. "Some folks can't
bear to part with what's old, but I own I've got a liking for new
things. When I can afford a change, I'm glad to have it."

"Friends the same as carpets," Thomas thought with a little bitterness
for which he at once reproached himself. For, after all, Persis'
friendship had been stanch and steadfast till his own confession had
disclosed his unworthiness. He atoned for his momentary lapse by
making her a substantial discount on the linoleum she wanted for the
kitchen.

The seal of silence Joel had placed upon his lips was broken when the
question of engaging a servant girl came to the fore. "Ain't you going
to leave yourself nothing to do?" he demanded wildly. Then with a
cunning for which few would have given him credit. "You'll get as fat
as Etta West sitting around all day and being waited on."

Persis listened unmoved, her rather enigmatic smile suggesting that she
clearly foresaw a way out of that difficulty.

"I'm not afraid but what I can find enough to keep me busy. Besides, I
need a servant girl to look after things when I'm away."

"Away? Are you going away?"

"I'm going whenever I happen to feel like it. And the first time'll be
next week, Monday."

"Persis, where are you going?"

"To the city for a week or so