Obedient to the motion, he thereupon set forward
once more, jogging soberly down the eastern slope of the hill,--
across the covered bridge, where, in spite of the tempting level of
the hollow-sounding floor, he was as careful to abstain from
trotting as if he had read the warning notice,--along the wooded
edge of the green meadow, where several cows of his acquaintance
were grazing,--and finally, wheeling around at the proper angle,
halted squarely in front of the gate which gave entrance to the
private lane.
The old stone house in front, the spring-house in a green little
hollow just below it, the walled garden, with its clumps of
box and lilac, and the vast barn on the left, all joining in
expressing a silent welcome to their owner, as he drove up the
lane. Moses, a man of twenty-five, left his work in the garden,
and walked forward in his shirt-sleeves.
"Well, father, how does thee do?" was his quiet greeting, as they
shook hands.
"How's mother, by this time?" asked Eli.
"Oh, thee needn't have been concerned," said the son.
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