Herbert looked at her startled. His short period of courage had passed. Again he was about to speak, then he covered his lips with his hand as if forcibly to restrain himself. The words which he choked back were, “Do not leave me alone, Elizabeth!” Poor Herbert rose filled with despair. When Elizabeth called good-night to him, he did not answer, being certain that he could not command his voice. He went into his room and to bed. But he did not sleep.
It was a long time before Elizabeth closed her eyes. Her mind traveled beyond her visits to the neighbors.
“When I have done that, what then?” said she. “If that fails, what can I do?”
It was not merely the rehabilitation of John Baring which depended upon the success of Elizabeth’s plans, it was livelihood itself. She saw in her first drowsiness rows of young trees standing in attitudes which were humanly expectant, awaiting planters who did not come. She was at once wide awake. Suppose that no one would work for John Baring’s grandchildren!
“I have signed the contract for the trees,” said she. “It would really mean ruin!”
Chapter IV
A JOURNEY IN VAIN
Elizabeth started out on foot, going northward along the eastern slope of the mountain. Here lay large and well-cultivated farms, and orchards which were already yielding large profits. Fences were well-made and clear of vines and briars, lawns were mowed, and in beds and on porches bloomed an abundance of flowers. She saw the windows of the Baring house abloom the winter long with geraniums—before the day was over she would ask for slips to plant for winter blooming.
She found few old persons. It was almost fifty years since the battle and farms had changed hands, some of them many times. She saw busy young men and women and tiny children, but no grandmothers or grandfathers. When she inquired she was stared at curiously.