The whole scene—the lonely mountain-shoulder, the weather-beaten grave-houses, the isolated little home below, the reds and yellows of the forest fading after a night of heavy frost, the ancient spectacle of human bereavement and sorrow with nothing to relieve it save the look on Mary's face—went to my heart till the tears came.
At four o'clock, having heard five preachers and several funeral songs, we took our departure. The occasion was to last all day Sunday, too. I, however, besought Mrs. Salyer to let the boys have one day at home, and at last gained her consent; and when we were once more in bed, and conversation had languished, and Ponto was thumping the floor with his tail again, Keats raised his head from the pillow to murmur, sleepily, but rapturously "Gee-oh,—a whole 'nother day at home to-morrow!"
On our arrival at the school to-night after dark, I heard that Nucky had left Friday in spite of my commands, and had not yet returned.
XV
TROUBLE ON TRIGGER AND ELSEWHERE
First Monday, November.
About ten this morning, Nucky came silently into the cottage, got his books, and was starting to the school-house, when I called him into my room.
"Did you go home?" I asked.
"Yes."
"And did Blant send you back?"