a long slope, up a sudden rise, over a level curve where a
fox-squirrel leaped into the road and scampered along it; up again, down
into a hollow, across the ridge beyond--so he was going, when voices
sounded again, then hoofs and wheels, and flashing and darkling in the
woodland's afternoon shadows came a party of four, two under hats, two
under bonnets, drawn by Bulger's handsome trotters in Garnet's carryall.
Garnet drove. Beside him sat Mrs. March luminous with satisfaction, and
on the back seat with Bulger was a small thin woman whose flaxen hair
was flattened in quince-seed waves on her pretty temples, and whom John
knew slightly as Mrs. Gamble. Bulger and the ladies waved hands. Only
Garnet's smile showed restraint.

In the board meeting of the night before, though surprise and annoyance
at John's presence and attitude were obvious, only the Major and he had
openly struck fire. When Gamble, Garnet, and Bulger were left alone,
Bulger, who had all along been silent, remarked to Garnet:

"I never drive with a whip. There's lots of horse in a young fellow like
March, and I never blame a horse for not liking what he don't
understand. I give him lump-sugar. If he's vicious, that's another
thing; but when he's only nervous--Got a match, Gamble?--Thanks. Now,
I'll tell you what let's do first thing to-morrow morning." And this,
with one or two happy modifications suggested by Garnet and Gamble, was
now being done.

LXVIII.

FAREWELL, WIDEWOOD

John was lost in a conflict of strong emotions. Sore beset, he forced
them all aside for the moment and yielded only to a grateful wonder as
he looked upon his pretty mother with her lap full of spring flowers.
For the first time in their acquaintance her shapely ear was not waiting
to receive, nor her refined lips to reject, his usual rough apologies.
Her tone of resignation was almost playful as she said that the first
news of his return had come to her through her present kind companions.

Mrs. Gamble put in that she had induced Mrs. March to join them, on
their return from their mountain drive, by telling her that her son was
so full of his work in his, her, and their common interest, that she
could not expect him to come to her.

"And you all were bringing mother in to see me?" exclaimed John.

"Certing!" said blithe Mrs. Gamble, while Garnet faltered a smiling
disclaimer, and the son wondered what hidden influence was making
endurable to his mother the compa