h she knew it was not an
adequate one, she gave up. She was resolved not to split hairs with her
husband over small matters; she would not nurse grievances.

As for John Hunter, he had not thought of apology,--or of the necessity of
one; he had been moved by the sight of the tempting figure of the woman he
possessed.

Elizabeth loved her husband and wished to believe that he loved her; she
was unwilling to begin her married life with any sort of whining or
suspicion, so she ended the matter by resting unresisting in his arms and
turning her young face up to be kissed.

The next morning Elizabeth washed the dishes alone, and Mrs. Hunter
followed John to the barn and later to the pasture, where he went to catch
a horse.

"Where are you going with a horse?" his mother asked as they passed
through the pasture gate.

"I have to go over to Chamberlain's to help with a small stack of hay he
put up in the field and wants to move, now that he's got the time. I told
him he'd better let me help him before the new hired man comes to begin
the husking; I'm going to need the team every day after that," John
replied.

"So you got a man, did you?" Mrs. Hunter said, catching hold of his arm to
keep him from outwalking her. "If you're going as far as Chamberlain's
you'd better take Elizabeth over to Mr. Hornby's while you're hitched up.
I'll get dinner. You hurt her feelings last night, and that'll be a good
way to make it right with her."

"Now look here, mother," John Hunter answered decidedly, "I'll do nothing
of the kind. With this story going around we'll stay at home where we
belong. Anyhow, the sooner she's cut away from these country jakes the
better for her, and I'll begin right here and now. I don't intend--never
have intended--to have these people tacked to my coat-tails every move I
make. If she's hurt, She'll simply have to get over it; besides, she
didn't stay mad long--you saw that for yourself. She's all right if she's
managed right."

It was true, Mrs. Hunter reflected. Elizabeth had not seemed to take much
offence, and was perfectly good-natured this morning. She did not intend
to interfere with the affairs of her son and his wife. Elizabeth seemed
submissive, and promised well. She hoped that this horrid gossip would die
down. That was a nasty thing to be mixed up with. Mr. Hunter had never had
anything like that happen to him before, and she was devoutly glad they
were away out here in Kansas where no one wh