Joseph and His Friend

nd through the kitchen, as usual, but from the back room up stairs, where he slept. His work-day dress had disappeared; he wor

his usual habit; so she poured out the tea in silence. Her silence, however, was eloquent; a hundred interrogation-marks would not have expressed its import; and Dennis, the hi

n the intercourse of country people, and in the case of these two it had been specially strengthened by the want of every relationship except that of blood. They were quite ignorant of the fence, the easy thrust and parry of society, where talk becomes an art; si

the window, awkwardly drumming upon the pane, while his aunt gathered the plates and cups together, delaying t

h answered, after a

d. Joseph was still drumming upon the window, but wi

ly fine for watching, though I would as soon show him that much respect, if need b

h a start, a most innoce

hat are you t

ighbors, to be sure, but when a man dies, everybody is free

hair. "Why, no!" he exclaimed; "I am going to Warriner's to spend the evening. There's to be a little company there,—a neigh

te impression of his words. A constrained smile passed over he

r for evening parties?" she then asked

rry-time, Bob said, when Anna

Warriner was there last Christmas, and I don't suppose the high notions are out of her head yet. Well, I hope it'll be some time bef

are going," Joseph mil

nd proper, and what is not. I should be sorry, to be sure, to see you doing anything and going anywhere that would make your mothe

ire to live so that his life might be such as to give her joy if she could share it, a film of doubt spread itself over the smooth, pure surface of hi

o go into society. She surely meant that I should have some independence, when

rees, and mostly in their own homes, and with sisters to caution them; whereas you're yo

Why am I younger 'according to my years?' why am I so much more 'innocent'—which is, ignorant—

here's such things as hay-harvest and corn to be worked. They come out for merry-makings in the busy time, and want us country folks to give up everything for their pleasure. The tired plough-horses must be geared up for 'em, and the cows wait an hour or two longer to be milked while they

ever go to the Blessings for a meal, or that this Miss Julia—as

the Bishops had boarders, two years ago, one of 'em said,—Maria told me with her own mouth,—'Why don't all the farmers follow your

n the way. I expect to meet Elwood Withers at the

, of course. Ten o'clock i

little after,

d be daybreak, wait I will! Your m

ready perched like an imp on the crupper, and clung to his sides with claws of steel. She, looking

nded, above the farthest woods, and such depths of purple-gray opened beyond them as are wont to rouse the slumbering fancies and hopes of a young man's heart; but the beauty and fasc

e where Joseph Asten lives?" he cried,—

ong, friendly face. "There is plenty of time," he said, lean

wake up. You're spruce enou

gravely answered; "but

ng-glass every day, and never know how they look. If you appeared to y

yself at all, Elwood,—if I coul

know it, too, and, shy and quiet as they seem, they're un-merciful. There they sit, all looking so different, somehow,—even a fellow's own sisters and cousins,—filling up all sides of the room, rustling a little and whisperin

after a moment's silence

e out plump. You take the breath out of my body. Have I been in love?

es answered the question, but Joseph's,—large, shy

the former, dropping his voice to a grave g

find it out? What is the difference between that and the feeli

ain as that,—and yet—well, for one thing, she's always in your mind, and you think and dream of just nothing but her; and you'd rather have the hem of her dress touch you than kiss anybody else; and you want to be near her, and to have her all to yourself, yet it's

increase of what we all feel towards some persons. I have

ner than you think. When it does, you won't need to ask anybody; though I

looke

lose-mouthed and honest-hearted, Joseph; but I'll never ask your

e to get away into company. Aunt Rachel stands in mother's place to me, and maybe it's only natural that she should be over-concerned; any way, seeing what she has done for my sake, I am hinder

at me, with mine! Why, I never as much as say 'by your leave.' Quite the contrary; so long as the work isn't slighted, they're rather glad than

gs as easily as you,—make my way boldly in the world, without being held back by trifles, or getting so confused with all sorts of doubts.

cales balance to a grain; if there's a handful under or over, I think it's near enough. However, you'll be all right in a while. When you find the right girl and marry her, it'll put a new face on to you. There's nothing like a sha

through the gathering dusk, "I have often thought very nea

you don't mean others to hear you.

nsion, the lights of which glimmered at intervals through the trees. The gate was open, and a dozen vehicles

sure they're every one watching us. No flinching, mind; straight to the charge!