MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[2867] said. [2868] I was at pains to use this term, a little difficult for juveniles,
having explained it^s meaning and application to him a few days before. [2869] So
I had high hopes of his telling me he didn't understand. [2870] But he was a
cunning little fellow, in his way. [2871] Martha! I bellowed. [2872] She appeared.
[2873] The sequel, I said. [2874] I looked more attentively out of the window. [2875] Not only
had the rain stopped, that I knew already, but in the west scarves of fine
red sheen were mounting in the sky.

[2876] I felt them rather than saw them,
through my little wood. [2877] A great joy, it is hardly too much to say, sur^ged
over me at the sight of so much beauty, so much promise. [2878] I turned away
with a sigh, for the joy inspired by beauty is often not unmixed, and saw
in front of me what with good reason I had called the sequel. [2879] Now what
have we here? I said.

[2880] Usually on Sunday evening we had cold fare, the
remains of a fowl, chicken, duck, goose, turkey, ^{[⁁]I can think of no other fowl,}, from
Saturday evening. [2881] I have always had great success with my turkeys, they
are a better proposition than ducks, in my opinion, for rearing purposes.
[2882] More delicate, possibly, but more remunerative, for one who knows and
caters for their little ways, who likes them in a word and is liked by
them in return. [2883] Shepherd's pie, said Martha. [2884] I tasted it, from the dish.

[2885] And what have you done with yesterday's ^bird?? I said. [2886] Martha's face
took on an expression of triumph. [2887] She was waiting for this question, that
was obvious, she was counting on it. [2888] I thought, she said, you ought to
eat something hot, before you left. [2889] And who told you I was leaving? I
said. [2890] She went to the door, a sure sign she was about to launch a shaft.
[2891] She could only be insulting when in flight. [2892] I'm not blind, she said. [2893] She
opened the door. [2894] More's the pity, she said. [2895] She closed the door behind
her.

[2896] I looked at my son. [2897] He had his mouth open and his eyes closed. [2898] Was
it you blabbed on us? I said. [2899] He pretended not to know what I was talking