Then Mary added some new touches. A comfortable big chair
was placed by his fire, new books on his mantle, a flower in his
window, and new covers on his bed. While the women worked, Dolan
raked the yards, and freshened matters outside as best he could.
When everything they had planned to do was accomplished, the
wagon, loaded with the ugly old things Mary despised, drove back
to the village, and she, with little Tilly Dolan for company,
remained.
Mary was tense with excitement. All the woman in her had yearned
for these few pretty things she wanted for her home throughout
the years that she had been compelled to live in crude, ugly
surroundings; because every cent above plainest clothing and
food, went for drink for Jimmy, and treats for his friends. Now
she danced and sang, and flew about trying a chair here, and
another there, to get the best effect. Every little while she
slipped into her bedroom, stood before a real dresser, and pulled
out its trays to make sure that her fresh, light dresses were
really there. She shook out the dainty curtains repeatedly,
watered the flowers, and fed the fish when they did not need it.
She babbled incessantly to the green linnet, which with swollen
throat rejoiced with her, and occasionally she looked in the
mirror.
Pages:
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240