The huddled figure against the mill-stone had
acquired a new significance in the act of dying. A dignity which had
never been hers in life, enfolded her when she lay with the accusing and
hostile look in her face fading slowly into an expression of peace. With
the noble inconsistency of a generous heart, he began to regard Judy
dead with a tenderness he had never been able to feel for Judy living.
The less she demanded of him, the more he was ready to give her.
"I declar' it does look as if Abel was mournin'," remarked Betsey
Bottom to Sarah on a September afternoon several months later. "It
ain't suprisin' in his case seein' he jest married her to get even with
Molly."
"I don't believe myself in settin' round an' nursin' grief," responded
Sarah, "a proper show of respect is well an' good, but nobody can expect
a hearty, able bodied man to keep his thoughts turned on the departed.
With women, now, it's different, for thar's precious little satisfaction
some women get out of thar husbands till they start to wearin' weeds for
'em."
"You've worn weeds steady now, ain't you, Mrs. Revercomb?"
Sarah set her mouth tightly.
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