He stalked gloomily along the path by the edge of the bluff. Captain Obed Bangs came up the path and they met.
“Hello, Caleb!” hailed the captain. “Fine weather at last, eh? Almost like August. Injun summer at last, I cal'late. What you got your coat collar turned up for? Afraid of getting your neck sunburned?”
Mr. Hammond grunted and hurried on. Captain Obed had chosen a poor topic if he desired a lengthy conversation.
Mrs. Pease lived at the farther end of the village and when Caleb reached there he was met by the lady's niece, Emma Snow.
“Aunt Melindy's real poorly,” said Emma. “She's been so for 'most three days. I'm stayin' here with her till she gets better. No, she ain't had time to do your mendin' yet. Anyhow it's so nice and warm you don't need the things, that's a comfort.”
It may have been a comfort to her, but it was not to Caleb. He growled a reply and turned on his heel. The churchgoers along the main road received scanty acknowledgment of their greetings.
“Ain't you comin' to meetin'?” asked Abbie Larkin.
“Naw,” snarled Caleb, “I ain't.”
“Why not? And it's such a lovely day, too.”
“Ugh!”