The Story of the Gravelys

randa, knitting, knit

his is," said some one

e his tall frame between the equally tall frame of an

eranda on Grand Avenue," he s

sed to things. Berty and I used to enjoy our roomy veranda, but we

[114] theory that the primitive in us likes to return to small quarters and simplicity. For i

and took up he

er beside her, frowned slightly. "Grandma, the girls t

ot?" she as

e is no n

You cannot buy home-knit s

s drudger

njoy

oy it. But you won't p

Rog

tockings?" he a

iends. Mrs. Darley-James

d. "You supply s

hould

but it makes me 'ma

1

usband with that new iro

I did, and it

garden railing, why shouldn't I s

otion about one kind of labour being degrading, and another ennobling. W

Grandma, putt

k yard was a so

railing. "What under

se pigeons-making n

her? I see

May

ell back in his seat

said Grand

ame to see you partly about that. It seems Bert

ow?" asked Gra

, people no

1

plaining to you," said

Everest was grumbling. You know he has been

ether there was any public gossip about Berty's friendship for the May

ng any one any occasion for

go on, what

or, he is for ever dangling about her house, and that park she is getting in shape for t

m!" said

ome one else may talk. What does it mean that Jimson comes he

strong and uncommon fancy. He

1

st on the arm of the rocking-chair. "Get r

's an honou

andma. He's all right morally, but he

kind-hearted man, but I am unintentionally dec

d men of fifty, fancy g

on of falling in love with Berty. He is

s companionship,

y," and Grandma laughed enjo

el, do

I fancy he has little peace, for his mother and sisters are ambitious socially, and urge him to attend various functions for which he[118] has no heart. Unexpect

ew light," said Roger,

o find him here. He has plenty of excitement and amusement if Ber

not think he would have anything

ambitious, longing for congenial companionship, not knowing just where to get it, he keeps on at his daily treadmill. He has got to be a kind of machine, and he has tried to stifle the spirit within him. Berty, wi

talk well, Grandma, and at unusual length for yo

willing to wait a long time in order to be understood. Then knitting steadi

e coming out one by one-those "beautiful seeds sown in the field of the sky." Roger could see the old lady's lips moving. She was probably repeating some fav

he sat gazing with her at the darkening

enly rang out. "We'll have to stop, Mr.[120] Jimson.

evening," replied the Mayor, i

le you. I'll get a carpenter.

I enjoy puttering round a house," replied

e things to do a

to be interrupted, and then my mother

to marry and bring up a family and to keep it together. That helps the union, but if you ha

have a little talk about it. I'll just sit down her

in such a low tone that the occupants of the veran

ried. A man ought to, before he gets to

me promptly, in B

for it was some time before he spok

said about fifty. I dare say yo

e dead old age to you?" qu

like the other side of the

rty-five," sa

usingly, "just think of it! You

young as you," he replied. "

ed Berty,

w why," he replied, wi

ma. It was not like he

1

knitting had fallen from her hand, her head had dropped forward, her cheek

uples on his own account, and he wanted his questi

quiet evening, the, as he supposed, secluded spot, Ber

ng, with gentle severity, "I should think you would tal

"it's queer how you can tell things to

etting married, I'd ask Grandma to advise me. She's had so m

as a first-class choice." Then he asked,[123] insinuat

t-not yet. It

a disappointed voice, "and, as I said b

uld think of me for yourself?" ask

ld," he rep

l. It's just a hint. Still it counts. I've really got out into life. Margaretta has always kept me down where gentlemen were co

about that," said

w lots of girls, but I suppose you will want a woman.

oked at Berty

1

o start with. Not tall,

sked the Mayor

dreadfully tall fo

g for some time. Then he said

esslike way. "Now, do you want a quiet woman, o

e man, hastily. "I want a quiet tongue,

nt to ente

parties and drag me with her-Look here, there's a woman I've seen sometimes when I go to church with my mother, that I've often thou

?" asked Be

[125] about mentioning the name. At last he

don't tell me that,"

hat's h

s she the only woman

hink of now as cutting any

with it? She's the most exclusive of our ridiculously exclusive set. She is an aristocrat

asked the Mayor, b

is twenty-seven, Jim is thirty, Maude is older than he is, and Au

to marry," said the Mayor, c

Berty, fee

oes she snap

1

dylike, but I am just sur

sure," asked the

se-bec

a cowboy?" asked Mr.

, b

a stro

en in bed-I don

mpanion. "Has been brought up

rry you," said B

Mr. Jimson's voice sounded angr

people who don't do things just as she does. If you ate w

or was

our, or a dressing-gown, or went about the ho

ese things?" asked t

1

nce. "They say you received a delegation of c

said, promptly, "

ly," said Berty, wildly. "Mis

elegant?" asked th

r I am not, and 'git' for get, and-and lots of other things, and you don't

short?" roared the Mayo

on the veranda above, saw with r

g her head about restlessly. "Send him h

are a horrid, deceitful man. You come here with your mind all made up about a certain woman.[128]

had just slammed on Mr. Jimson, and Berty was pouri

le on his face. There was no danger of sen

d, "want some help wit

o-night. Still, you might help me cover them some more. I'm dreadfull

ere, haven't you?" sai

e that I shan't let him help me finish. I'm never g

ng over the pigeons to conceal his face. "W

tails[129] sweet? Oh, you lubbie dubbies, Bert

at the same time, and wondered whether the breach betwe