"
The girl soothed and comforted him, ensconced him by the fireside,
banishing the chill from his heart, while Mrs. Rolliffe warmed his
blood by a strong, hot drink. Then the mother hastened away to get
dinner, while Susie sat down near, nervously twisting and
untwisting her fingers, with questions on her lips which she dared
not utter, but which brought blushes to her cheeks. Stokes looked
at her and sighed over his lost youth, yet smiled as he thought:
"Guess I'll get even with that Zeb Jarvis to-day." Then he asked,
"Isn't there any one you would like to hear about in camp?"
She blushed deeper still, and named every one who had gone from
Opinquake except Zeb. At last she said a little ironically: "I
suppose Ezekiel Watkins is almost thinking about being a general
about this time?"
"Hasn't he been here telling you what he is thinking about?"
"Been here! Do you mean to say he has come home?"
"He surely started for home. All the generals and a yoke of oxen
couldn't 'a' kept him in camp, he was so homesick--lovesick too, I
guess.
Pages:
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467