Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/284

 warm in their beds. Tonight most roads in the land are deserted."

Before the open-hearth Jethro Trent lay stretched in a great arm-chair. He was not joining in the conversation. Nor was he sleeping. He sat there as though unconscious of all that was about him gazing moodily into the flames. Thanks to his efforts the farmstead of Linda Joel was snug and warm that night. She had plenty of wood to keep a good fire burning. All cracks in the walls had been calked with cement. The house had never been in such splendid condition. Her pantry was supplied with ample food. That very afternoon he had taken a turkey to her. Also a large jar of mincemeat and a crate of cranberries. Benda's only sister had come down from Chicago to spend Christmas with her. So she would not be alone.

In the chimney-corner, Scobee sat wrapped in pleasant dreams. Tonight it was Christmas Eve. Tonight he would listen for the songs of his mother. Perhaps Christmas carols would echo through the house.