The Country of the Pointed Firs

“Yes, it's very dull to me up among those slow farms,” declared Mrs. Todd. “The snow troubles 'em in winter. They're all besieged by winter, as you may say; 'tis far better by the shore than up among such places. I never thought I should like to live up country.” “Why, just see the carriages ahead of us on the next rise!” exclaimed Mrs. Blackett. “There's going to be a great gathering, don't you believe there is, Almiry? It hasn't seemed up to now as if anybody was going but us. An' 'tis such a beautiful day, with yesterday cool and pleasant to work an' get ready, I shouldn't wonder if everybody was there, even the slow ones like Phebe Ann Brock.” Mrs. Blackett's eyes were bright with excitement, and even Mrs. Todd showed remarkable enthusiasm. She hurried the horse and caught up with the holiday-makers ahead. “There's all the Dep'fords goin', six in the wagon,” she told us joyfully; “an' Mis' Alva Tilley's folks are now risin' the hill in their new carry-all.” Mrs. Blackett pulled at the neat bow of her black bonnet-strings, and tied them again with careful precision. “I believe your bonnet's on a little bit sideways, dear,” she advised Mrs. Todd as if she were a child; but Mrs. Todd was too much occupied to pay proper heed. We began to feel a new sense of gayety and of taking part in the great occasion as we joined the little train. XVIII. The Bowden Reunion