Hills of the Shatemuc Part 156

"Be you the owner of Shahweetah now?"

"Yes."

"I heerd it was so. And what's become of the old family?"

"They are scattered. Mr. Landholm is gone West, with one of his sons; the others are in different places."

"And the girl is dead, ain't she?"

"Winnie? -- yes."

Elizabeth knew that!

"The mother was gone first -- to a better place. She had a fine lot o' children. Will was a pictur; -- the farmer, he was a fine man too; -- but there was one -- the second boy -- Winthrop, -- he was the flower of the flock, to my thinkin'. I ha'n't seen him this great while. He's been here since I lost my sight, but I thought I could see him when I heerd him speak."

There was silence. Elizabeth did not feel inclined to break it.

"Do you know him, maybe?" the old woman said presently.

Winthrop _had_ made himself pleasant there! --

"Yes."

"Is he lookin' as well as he used to?"

"Quite as well, I believe."

"Is he gettin' along well?"

"Yes -- I believe so -- very well."

"Whatever he does 'll prosper, _I_ believe," said Mrs.

Underhill; "for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous. Is that a way you have any knowledge of, young lady?"

"Not much --" said Elizabeth hesitating.

"'Siah says he 'spects you're rich."

"What makes him think so?"

"He says that's what he 'spects. Does the hull Shahweetah farm belong to you?"

"Yes."

"It's a good farm. Who's goin' to take care of it for you?"

"I don't know, yet."

"I 'spose you'll be gettin' married, one of these days, and then there'll be some one to do it for you. Be you handsome, particular, as 'Siah says?"

Elizabeth coloured exceedingly, and a t.i.ttering laugh, somewhat boisterous, ran round the group of spectators and listeners, with a murmured "Oh Grand'ma! --"

"Whisht!" -- said the old woman; -- "I'm not talkin' like you.

I'm old and blind. I can't see for myself, and I want to know.

She can tell me."

"Father telled ye already," said the eldest girl.

"I can tell better from what _she_ says," said Mrs. Underhill, turning her face towards her visiter. "What does she say? Be you uncommon fair and handsome? -- or not more than the common?"

The red deepened on Elizabeth's cheek and brow, but she answered, not without some hesitation,

"I believe -- more than the common."

A little glimpse of a smile stole over the old woman's face.

"Handsome, and rich. Well -- Be you happy too, young lady, above the common?"

"I have learned, ma'am, that that depends upon right-doing; -- so I am not always happy."

"Have you learned that lesson?" said the old woman. "It's a good one. Let me see your hand?"

Elizabeth drew near and gave it.

"It's a pretty hand," -- said the old woman. "It's soft -- it hain't done much work. It feels rich and handsome. Don't you give it to no one who will help you to forget that the blessing of G.o.d is better than silver and gold."

"Thank you. I will not."

"Be you a servant of the Lord, young lady?"

"I hope I am, Mrs. Underhill," Elizabeth answered with some hesitation. "Not a good one."

The old woman dropped her hand and fell back in her chair, only saying, for Elizabeth had risen,

"Come and see me again -- I'll be pleased to see ye."

"If I do! --" thought Elizabeth as she ran down to her boat.

The free air seemed doubly free. But then came the instant thought, -- "Winthrop Landholm would not have said that. How far I am -- how far! -- from where he stands!" --

She walked slowly down to the water's edge.

"Mr. Underhill," she said as she prepared to spring into the boat which he held for her, -- "I have forgotten, while I was at the house, what I partly came for to-night. We are out of provisions -- have you any eggs, or anything of any kind, to spare?"

"Eggs?" -- said Mr. Underhill, holding the boat, -- "what else would you like along of eggs?"

"Almost anything, that is not salt meat."

"Chickens? -- we've got some o' them."