"It seems kind o' formal comin' in this way," said Mrs. Todd
impulsively, as we passed the flowers and came to the front
doorstep; but she was mindful of the proprieties, and walked before
us into the best room on the left.
"Why, mother, if you haven't gone an' turned the carpet!" she
exclaimed, with something in her voice that spoke of awe and
admiration. "When'd you get to it? I s'pose Mis' Addicks come
over an' helped you, from White Island Landing?"
"No, she didn't," answered the old woman, standing proudly
erect, and making the most of a great moment. "I done it all
myself with William's help. He had a spare day, an' took right
holt with me; an' 'twas all well beat on the grass, an' turned, an'
put down again afore we went to bed. I ripped an' sewed over two
o' them long breadths. I ain't had such a good night's sleep for
two years."
"There, what do you think o' havin' such a mother as that for
eighty-six year old?" said Mrs. Todd, standing before us like a
large figure of Victory.
As for the mother, she took on a sudden look of youth; you
felt as if she promised a great future, and was beginning, not
ending, her summers and their happy toils.
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