“In the stage, ye know,” said Mr. Tisbett. “If ye could now let me, I’d be ’bleeged to ye. Seems if ’twould set me up fer th’ rest o’ my life. I want to do somethin’ fer that blessed child I’ve seen grow up from a baby;” and he covered his face with his big hand.
“And so you shall!” cried Polly, seizing his other horny palm, and ashamed of herself for the dismay that swept over her at this plan, that would deprive Jasper and her from driving Phronsie and Roslyn up to “The Oaks.” “Indeed, it is lovely of you, Mr. Tisbett, to think of it;” which thrilled the honest stage-driver with delight to his finger-tips.
“An’ I want to hev the priv’lege to drive yer par up too,” said Mr. Tisbett, turning to Jasper a face covered with confusion. “Land, but when I think how I shook him up that fust time he ever come here,—an’ I can’t never forget it,—I want to do somethin’ fer him too.”
“Father forgot all about that a long time ago, Mr. Tisbett,” said Jasper simply, “and so must you.”
“Land, but you can fergit a thing teetotally when you’re the one it’s done to,” said Mr. Tisbett, scratching his head awkwardly. “Well, if he’ll only fergive me enough to let me drive him up too, I’ll be mortally obleeged.” He peered anxiously into Jasper’s face.
“I can answer for father,” cried Jasper heartily; “that he’ll be glad to have you drive him up here, and it’s very kind of you to think of it;” and he shook the honest stage-driver’s hand so cordially that Mr. Tisbett shambled off delightedly.
“‘An’ I want to hev the priv’lege to drive yer par up too,’ said Mr. Tisbett.”
And the old church where Phronsie had gone since babyhood, and Mr. Henderson had preached so long, was to peal its new chimes for the first time when she came back to Badgertown again. This the people had begged. The meeting-house was still standing it is true; but it had been Mr. King’s work, when he gave up his old home to be with Polly and Jasper, to make it just such a church as Badgertown had longed for.
Oh, and Grandma Bascom was to be brought over in a chair, and have the seat of honor on the lawn: for this was to be an out-of-door fête for Phronsie, when the day after the arrival the wedding-party at “The Oaks” would take place, to which all Badgertown was invited, in addition to the hosts and hosts of other friends.