Early the next morning he drove
through the village on his way to the county seat, with a load of
grain. Dolan saw him and running home he told Mary. "He will be
gone all day. Now is your chance!" he said.
Mary sprang to her feet, "Hurry!" she panted, "hurry!"
An hour later a loaded wagon, a man and three women drew up
before the cabins in Rainbow Bottom. Mary, her sister, Dolan, and
a scrub woman entered. Mary pointed out the objects which she
wished removed, and Dolan carried them out. They took up the
carpets, swept down the walls, and washed the windows. They hung
pictures, prints, and lithographs, and curtained the windows in
dainty white. They covered the floors with bright carpets, and
placed new ornaments on the mantle, and comfortable furniture in
the rooms. There was a white iron bed, and several rocking
chairs, and a shelf across the window filled with potted
hyacinths in bloom. Among them stood a glass bowl, containing
three wonderful little gold fish, and from the top casing hung a
brass cage, from which a green linnet sang an exultant song.
You should have seen Mary Malone! When everything was finished,
she was changed the most of all. She was so sure of Dannie, that
while the winter had brought annoyance that he did not come, it
really had been one long, glorious rest.
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