"Yes!"cried mother,and the word broke right through a bubbling laugh."Am I not fortunate above most women?We had the grief to lose two little daughters at the ages of eight and nine,all the others I have,and I rejoice in them."She reached out,laid a hand on me,drew me to her,and lightly touched my arm,sending my spirits sky-high.She wasn't going to do a thing to me,not even scold!Mr.Pryor stared at her like Jacob Hood does at Laddie when he begins rolling Greek before him,so I guess what mother said must have been Greek to Mr.
Pryor.
"I came to see Mr.Stanton,"he said suddenly,and crosslike as if he didn't believe a word she said,and had decided she was too foolish to bother with any longer;but he kept on staring.He couldn't quit that,no matter how cross he was.The funniest thing came into my mind.I wondered what on earth he'd have done if she'd gone over,sat on his lap,put her arms around his neck,took his face between her hands and kissed his forehead,eyes,lips,and tousled his hair,like she does father and our boys.
I'll bet all I got,he'd have turned to stonier stone than Sabethany.You could see that no one ever served HIM like that in all his old,cold,hard,cross,mysterious,shut-in life.I was crazy to ask,"Say,did anybody ever kiss you?"but I had such a close escape bringing him in wrong,I thought it would be wise not to take any risks so soon after.It was enough to stand beside mother,and hear every word they said.What was more,she wanted me,because she kept her hand on mine,or touched my apron every little while.
"I'm so sorry!"she said."He was called to town on business.
The County Commissioners are sitting to-day.""They are deciding about the Groveville bridge,and pike?""Yes.He is working so hard for them."
"The devil you say!I beg pardon!But it was about that I came.
I'm three miles from there,and I'm taxed over sixty pounds for it.""But you cross the bridge every time you go to town,and travel the road.Groveville is quite a resort on account of the water and lovely country.Paul is very anxious to have the work completed before the summer boarders come from surrounding cities.We are even farther from it than you;but it will cost us as much.""Are you insane?"cried Mr.Pryor,not at all politely;but you could see that mother was bound she wouldn't become provoked about anything,for she never stopped a steady beam on him.
"Spend all that money for strangers to lazy around on a few weeks and then go!""But a good bridge and fine road will add to their pleasure,and when they leave,the improvements remain.They will benefit us and our children through all the years to come.""Talk about `the land of the free'!"cried Mr.Pryor."This is a tax-ridden nation.It's a beastly outrage!Ever since I came,it's been nothing but notice of one assessment after another.I won't pay it!I won't endure it.I'll move!"Mother let go of me,gripped her hands pretty tight together on the table,and she began to talk.
"As for freedom--no man ever was,or is,or will be free,"she said,quite as forcibly as he could speak."You probably knew when you came here that you would find a land tax-ridden from a great civil war of years'duration,and from newness of vast territory to be opened up and improved.You certainly studied the situation.""`Studied the situation'!"His whip beat across his knee.
"`Studied the situation'!My leaving England was--er--the result of intolerable conditions there--in the nature of flight from things not to be endured.I had only a vague idea of the States.""If England is intolerable,and the United States an outrage,I don't know where in this world you'll go,"said mother softly.
Mr.Pryor stared at her sharply.
"Madame is pleased to be facetious,"he said sneeringly.
Mother's hands parted,and one of them stretched across the table toward him.
"Forgive me!"she cried."That was unkind.I know you are in dreadful trouble.I'd give--I'd almost give this right hand to comfort you.I'd do nearly anything to make you feel that you need bear no burden alone;that we'd love to help support you.""I believe you would,"he said slowly,his eyes watching her again."I believe you would.I wonder why!""All men are brothers,in the broader sense,"said mother,"and if you'll forgive me,your face bears marks of suffering almost amounting to torture."She stretched out the other hand.
"You couldn't possibly let us help you?"
Slowly he shook his head.
"Think again!"urged mother."A trouble shared is half over to start with.You lay a part of it on your neighbours,and your neighbours in this case would be glad,glad indeed,to see you care-free and happy as all men should be.""We'll not discuss it,"he said."You can't possibly imagine the root of my trouble.""I shan't try!"said mother."But let me tell you this:I don't care if you have betrayed your country,blasphemed your God,or killed your own child!So long,as you're a living man,daily a picture of suffering before me,you're a burden on my heart.
You're a load on my shoulders,without your consent.I have implored God,I shall never cease to implore Him,until your brow clears,your head is lifted,and your heart is at rest.You can't prevent me!This hour I shall go to my closet and beg Him to have mercy on your poor soul,and when His time comes,He will.You can't help yourself,or you would have done so,long ago.You must accept aid!This must end,or there will be tragedy in your house.""Madame,there has been!"said Mr.Pryor,shaking as he sat.
"I recognize that,"said mother."The question is whether what has passed is not enough.""You simply cannot understand!"he said.
"Mr.Pryor,"she said,"you're in the position of a man doubly bereft.You are without a country,and without a God.Your face tells every passer-by how you are enjoying that kind of life.
