Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-70.djvu/773

Rh Abner broke into a big laugh. "Happy!—You just ought to see her!" He chuckled. "I never saw anything like it. She's a new woman, I tell you. I didn't suppose it was in her. She goes chippering around and smiling. She's doin' something the whole, blessed time—a female missionary or a bargain sale or a church fair or something. I didn't see her more'n five minutes 't a time while I was there. She's got some kind of a new thing for her hair," he added thoughtfully. "It makes her look different—younger, I guess."

"What is it like?" Melissa leaned forward.

"Well, it kind o' stands up on the top an' comes out somewhere"

"Is it black?"

He stared at her vaguely. "Well, I ain't quite sure," he said slowly.

"It's a cap, maybe," suggested Melissa.

He shook his head decisively. "No, it ain't a cap. I know a cap when I see it, I guess. It's a different kind of structure."

Melissa leaned back with a soft, impatient sigh.

Abner looked at her apologetically. Tain't so easy's you think to tell about them things—'specially this one o' Aunt Nancy's." He gave a soft chuckle.

Melissa smiled. "Mebbe it's a rossette," she said.

Abner looked relieved. "I guess 'tis. That's a good name—a russette."

"But you ain't sure, Abner?"

"No, I ain't sure."

There was silence. The old clock ticked loudly. The baby stretched out her small fingers and gave a sleepy wail.

Melissa set her upright and trotted her. "D' she ask about the baby?" she asked.

"Land, yes! She couldn't hear enough about her. She says maybe she'll come up an' make us a visit when snow comes—so's she can't use her automobile any longer."

Melissa's clutch on the white clothes tightened. "When—she can't—use her—automobile?" she repeated slowly.

Abner nodded. "She's got one. Goes out ridin' every day."

Melissa looked at him reproachfully. "How'd she ever learn?" she asked after a pause.

"Hired a man to run it for her awhile. Oh, she wa'n't no time. She's always wanted to—to do somethin' of the sort," said Abner discreetly.

The puckers faded from Melissa's forehead. "D' you go ridin' in it?" she asked with returning interest.

Abner paused. "Well, I went once," he said guardedly.