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She would NEVER go back to Aunt Ruths that was certain.
Oh, I suppose my
grandmothers wouldnt have done it!
I can do itagain and it wont be any harder
than bumping over those awfulroads behind the grey mare.
Through wisdom is an
house builded, and by understanding is itestablished.
Of course they have to
have something to fill up thecorners. I am going to take mypart in the play
to-night, Aunt Ruth. Some vague glimmering of this made Emilyrefuse the
doughnut. I didnt make anyanswer to Aunt Ruth, so she started on another
tack.
Emily, with a sigh of surrender, took her feet off the stove andmoved
over to the table.
If you mean that she wears a purple silk petticoat, Emly,
say soin plain English. I HATE her, cried Emily, still grasping after
self-justification. Then how are you going to get back to Shrewsbury? It seems
to me impossible that I shall either grow old or die. I mightforgive her the
cutting things but never the laugh. Then how are you going to get back to
Shrewsbury? Better a play ruined than a soul ruined, retorted Aunt Ruth.
Then
she wont beable to twit me with the expense I am to her.
Consequently this is
blue Monday and Im homesick.
Emily favoured Aunt Ruth with a sample of the
Murray look. Sly as Ive always known you to be Iwouldnt have believed you could
be as sly as this. There is EVERY difference, said Aunt Ruth. Why, the
Shrewsbury Times referred to it last week. Emily slipped from her peak of
tragedy to the valley of petulance. We allseemed to be able to think of wittier
things to say.
Had itbeen three times seven she would have started just the
same.
My story is all dog-eared and smells of tobacco. The discovery of
beautiful and interesting words always gives mejoy. I dont know where you get
your low tastes from, said Aunt Ruth.
Cousin Jimmy seized the cold hands Emily
held out to him. Heaps of it, he addedmeditatively between bites.
But I had to
keep a grave face and explain to AuntRuth. I slippedout with needle, thread and
buttons and sewed them on.
Aunt Ruth wouldnt look at the May-flowers.
The wind
came across it in sudden, moaninggusts.
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