Page:The Star in the Window.pdf/61

Rh monstrosity. He saw to it that his sense of duty took its proper place among his other senses. It was your own grandfather, child, who put the mills at the foot of the hill onto the Massachusetts map. They didn't amount to a row of pins till he came along. It was your own grandfather who broke away from this everlasting New England holding-back and going-easy, and had the courage of his convictions to defy a whole family's advice, borrow huge sums of money, run risks, something awful, I'm told, all by himself, and simply hack his way through to success. Don't let your grandfather Jerome be ashamed of you, Reba, in his grave, as he was, before he died, of his son. Show him you can defy too. Show him you can ride over obstacles, and get what you want as well as himself. For I know there's something you want, Reba, though you won't tell me what it is. Hello!" she interrupted herself. "Here's Augusta. Come in, Augusta. I've been talking to Reba here like a dutch uncle. But I guess now I better go and visit a while with poor Eunice, and show her my postcards."

"Eunice is abed," announced Augusta Morgan. "Excitement always brings on one of her nervous spells. Emma's rubbing her. You better sit right here. I've told David to go hitch up. It'll be time to start for your train pretty soon. Reba can play for you till it's time to go."

Augusta approached the big black, shiny piano, closed as tight as a tomb, and very carefully proceeded to open it, revealing a spotless row of black and white keys, which she brushed gently with a silk duster.

"I noticed your new piano," Cousin Pattie remarked appreciatively. "I don't believe they're many in