It gave out a different creak and jolted her until she was
grateful for springs and cushions when obliged to go back to them.
The landscape was still hazy, the woods grew more beautiful. But
neither of the children cared for the little towns along the route:
Bellville, Stilesville, Meridian, Manhattan, Pleasant Garden. Hills
appeared and ledges of rock cropped out in them. Yet even hills may
be observed with indifference by eyes weary of an endless panorama.
They drove more rapidly now to make up for lost time. Both children
dived into the carriage pockets for amusement, and aunt Corinne
dressed her rag doll a number of times each day. They talked of Rose
Tracy, still calling her Fairy Carrie. Of the wonderful clothes her
mother laid out to put upon her the night of her departure, in place
of aunt Corinne's over-grown things, and the show woman's tawdry
additions. They wondered about her home and the colored people who
waited on her, and if she would be quite well and cured of her stupor
by the time she reached Baltimore. Grandma Padgett told them
Baltimore was an old city down in Maryland, and the National 'Pike
started in its main street. From Baltimore over the mountains to
Wheeling, in the Pan Handle of Virginia, was a grand route.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195