You know how
polite he is--wouldn't trouble anybody. Wouldn't ask ye
to slap 'im on the back if he was chokin'. I went out
two or three times and once I brought him out some
liniment, and he told me every time he would be 'well
directly,' but I don't believe him. If Arthur groans
there's something to groan for, you bet."
"Maybe he's in love," Tom said sheepishly.
"But you don't groan, Tom, do you?" she asked seriously.
"Maybe I ain't in love, though, Pearl. Ask Jim Russell,
he can tell you."
"Jim ain't in love, is he?" Pearl asked anxiously. Her
responsibilities were growing too fast. One love affair
and a sick man she felt was all she could attend to.
"Well, why do you suppose Jim comes over here every second
day to get you to write a note to that friend of yours?"
"Camilla?" Pearl asked open-mouthed. Tom nodded.
"Camilla can't leave Mrs. Francis," Pearl declared with
conviction.
"Jim's a dandy smart fellow. He only stays on the farm
in the summer. In the winter he book-keeps for three or
four of the stores in Millford and earns lots of money,"
Tom said, admiringly.
After a pause Pearl said thoughtfully, "I love Camilla!"
"That's just the way Jim feels, too, I guess," Tom said
laughing as he went out to the stable.
When Tom went out to the granary he found Arthur dressing,
but flushed and looking rather unsteady.
"What's gone wrong with you, old man?" he asked kindly.
"I feel a bit queer," Arthur replied, "that's all.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181