“Now open and see the glory of the Lord!” she cried with joyous awe.
The day was one of matchless beauty. The clouds that swung low in the early morning had floated higher and higher till they hung now in shining billows above the highest balsam-crowned peaks in the distance.
In every direction, as far as the eye could reach, north, south, east, west, the dark ranges mounted in the azure skies until the farthest dim lines melted into the heavens.
“Oh, Jim dear, isn't it wonderful! We're lucky to get this view on our first day. It's such a good omen.”
Jim opened his eyes lazily and puffed his cigarette in a calm, patronizing way.
“Tough sledding we'd have had with an automobile over those hills,” he said. “We'll try it after lunch, though.”
“We'll go for a ride?” she cried joyfully.
“Yep. Got to hunt up the folks. The mountains near Asheville!” he said with disgust. “I should say they are near—and far, too. Holy smoke, I'll bet we get lost!”
“Nonsense——”
“Where's the Black Mountains, I wonder?” he asked suddenly.