第109章

"You see, Uncle Jed," said Barbara, as she jumped from his knee preparatory to running off to school, "I don't like you to do eccen-tricks and not talk to me.I don't like it at all and neither does Petunia.You won't do any more--not for so long at a time, will you, Uncle Jed?"Jed sighed."I'll try not to," he said, soberly.

She nodded."Of course," she observed, "we shan't mind you doing a few, because you can't help that.But you mustn't sit still and not pay attention when we talk for ever and ever so long.I--Idon't know precactly what I and Petunia would do if you wouldn't talk to us, Uncle Jed.""Don't, eh? Humph! I presume likely you'd get along pretty well.

I ain't much account."

Barbara looked at him in horrified surprise.

"Oh, Uncle Jed!" she cried, "you mustn't talk so! You MUSTN'T!

Why--why, you're the bestest man there is.And there isn't anybody in Orham can make windmills the way you can.I asked Teacher if there was and she said no.So there! And you're a GREATcons'lation to all our family," she added, solemnly."We just couldn't ever--EVER do without you."When the child went Jed did not take the trouble to lock the door after her; consequently his next callers entered without difficulty and came directly to the inner shop.Jed, once more absorbed in gloomy musings--not quite as gloomy, perhaps; somehow the clouds had not descended quite so heavily upon his soul since Babbie's visit--looked up to see there standing behind him Maud Hunniwell and Charlie Phillips.

He sprang to his feet."Eh?" he cried, delightedly."Well, well, so you're back, Charlie, safe and sound.Well, well!"Phillips grasped the hand which Jed had extended and shook it heartily.

"Yes, I'm back," he said.

"Um-hm....And--er--how did you leave Uncle Sam? Old feller's pretty busy these days, 'cordin' to the papers.""Yes, I imagine he is."

"Um-hm....Well, did you--er--make him happy? Give his army the one thing needful to make it--er--perfect?"Charlie laughed."If you mean did I add myself to it," he said, "Idid.I am an enlisted man now, Jed.As soon as Von Hindenburg hears that, he'll commit suicide, I'm sure."Jed insisted on shaking hands with him again."You're a lucky feller, Charlie," he declared."I only wish I had your chance.

Yes, you're lucky--in a good many ways," with a glance at Maud.

"And, speaking of Uncle Sam," he added, "reminds me of--well, of Daddy Sam.How's he behavin' this mornin'? I judge from the fact that you two are together he's a little more rational than he was last night....Eh?"Phillips looked puzzled, but Maud evidently understood."Daddy has been very nice to-day," she said, demurely."Charlie had a long talk with him and--and--""And he was mighty fine," declared Phillips with emphasis."We had a heart to heart talk and I held nothing back.I tell you, Jed, it did me good to speak the truth, whole and nothing but.I told Captain Hunniwell that I didn't deserve his daughter.He agreed with me there, of course.""Nonsense!" interrupted Maud, with a happy laugh.

"Not a bit of nonsense.We agreed that no one was good enough for you.But I told him I wanted that daughter very much indeed and, provided she was agreeable and was willing to wait until the war was over and I came back; taking it for granted, of course, that I--"He hesitated, bit his lip and looked apprehensively at Miss Hunniwell.Jed obligingly helped him over the thin ice.

"Provided you come back a major general or--or a commodore or a corporal's guard or somethin'," he observed.

"Yes," gratefully, "that's it.I'm sure to be a high private at least.Well, to cut it short, Jed, I told Captain Hunniwell all my past and my hopes and plans for the future.He was forgiving and forbearing and kinder than I had any right to expect.We understand each other now and he is willing, always provided that Maud is willing, too, to give me my opportunity to make good.That is all any one could ask.""Yes, I should say 'twas....But Maud, how about her? You had consider'ble of a job makin' her see that you was worth waitin'

for, I presume likely, eh?"

Maud laughed and blushed and bade him behave himself.Jed demanded to be told more particulars concerning the enlisting.So Charles told the story of his Boston trip, while Maud looked and listened adoringly, and Jed, watching the young people's happiness, was, for the time, almost happy himself.

When they rose to go Charlie laid a hand on Jed's shoulder.

"I can't tell you," he said, "what a brick you've been through all this.If it hadn't been for you, old man, I don't know how it might have ended.We owe you about everything, Maud and I.You've been a wonder, Jed."Jed waved a deprecating hand."Don't talk so, Charlie," he said, gruffly.

"But, I tell you, I--"

"Don't....You see," with a twist of the lip, "it don't do to tell a--a screech owl he's a canary.He's liable to believe it by and by and start singin' in public....Then he finds out he's just a fool owl, and has been all along.Humph! Me a wonder!...

A blunder, you mean."

Neither of the young people had ever heard him use that tone before.

They both cried out in protest.

"Look here, Jed--" began Phillips.