But although the earth lay sere and brown and dust-laden,
the granaries and elevators were bursting with a rich
abundance. Innumerable freight-trains loaded with wheat
wound heavily up the long grade, carrying off all too
slowly the produce of the plain, and still the loads of
grain came pouring in from the farms. The cellars were
full of the abundance of the gardens--golden turnips,
rosy potatoes and rows of pale green cabbages hanging by
their roots to the beams gave an air of security against
the long, cold, hungry winter.
Inside of John Watson's home, in spite of November's
dullness, joy and gladness reigned, for was not Pearl
coming home? Pearl, her mother's helper and adviser;
Pearl, her silent father's wonder and delight, the second
mother of all the little Watsons! Pearl was coming home.
Events in the Watson family were reckoned from the time
of Pearl's departure or the time of her expected
home-coming. "Pa got raised from one dollar and a quarter
to one dollar and a half just six weeks from the day
Pearl left, lackin' two days," and Mrs. Evans gave Mary
a new "stuff" dress, "on the Frida' as Pearl left or the
Thursda' three weeks before," and, moreover, the latest
McSorley baby was born "on the Wednesda' as Pearl was
comin' home on the Saturda' four weeks after."
Domestic affairs were influenced to some degree by Pearl's
expected arrival. "Don't be wearin' yer sweater now,
Tommy man, I'm feart the red strip'll run in it when
its washed; save it clean till Pearlie comes, there's
a man.
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