The two young ladies took their stand on the green, at a safe distance, as the huge fragrant load approached. The hay overhung and concealed the wheels, as well as the hind quarters of the oxen, and on the summit stood Joseph, in his shirt-sleeves and leaning on a pitch-fork. He bent forward as he saw them, answering their greetings with an eager, surprised face.
"O, take care, take care!" cried Miss Blessing, as the load entered the barn-door; but Joseph had already dropped upon his knees and bent his shoulders. Then the wagon stood upon the barn-floor; he sprang lightly upon a beam, descended the upright ladder, and the next moment was shaking hands with them.
"We have kept our promise, you see," said Miss Blessing.
"Have you been in the house yet?" Joseph asked, looking at Anna.
"O, for an hour past, and we are going to take supper with you."
"Dennis!" cried Joseph, turning towards the barn, "we will let the load stand to-night."
"How much better a man looks in shirt-sleeves than in a dress-coat!" remarked Miss Blessing aside to Anna Warriner, but not in so low a tone as to prevent Joseph from hearing it.
"Why, Julia, you are perfectly countrified! I never saw anything like it!" Anna replied.
Joseph turned to them again, with a bright flush on his face. He caught Miss Blessing's eyes, full of admiration, before the lids fell modestly over them.
"So you've seen my home, already?" he said, as they walked slowly towards the house.