condition as its rather meager character permitted. He had positively refused
to permit his wife to do any washing and ironing. "We will see about it next
fall," he said. "If then you are perfectly well and strong, perhaps, but not
in the warm weather now coming on." Then he added, with a little nod, "I'm
finding out how valuable you are, and I'd rather save you than the small sum I
have to pay old Mrs. Johnson."

In this and in other ways he showed kindly consideration, but his mind
continually reverted to his work and outdoor plans with the preoccupation of
one who finds that he can again give his thoughts to something from which they
had been most reluctantly withdrawn. Thus Alida was left alone most of the
time. When the dusk of evening came he was too tired to say much, and he
retired early that he might be fresh for work again when the sun appeared.
She had no regrets, for although she kept busy she was resting and her wounds
were healing through the long, quiet days.

It was the essential calm after the storm. Caring for the dairy and working
the butter into firm, sweet, tempting yellow rolls were the only tasks that
troubled her a little, but Holcroft assured her that she was learning these
important duties faster than he had expected her to. She had several hours a
day in which to ply her needle, and thus was soon enabled to replenish her
scanty wardrobe.

One morning at breakfast she appeared in another gown, and although its
material was calico, she had the appearance to Holcroft of being unusually
well dressed. He looked pleased, but made no comment. When the cherry
blossoms were fully out, an old cracked flower vase--the only one in the
house--was filled with them, and they were placed in the center of the dinner
table. He looked at them and her, then smilingly remarked, "I shouldn't
wonder if you enjoyed those cherry blows more than anything else we have for