Martha's hand crept into mine. "You've been so kind," she whispered.
e went into the house and smiled at each other while Duane admired the furniture and the farming district in general and our place in particular. We hardly heard what he was saying.
When the doorbell rang we stared at each other. For a minute I couldn't think who it might be. I'd forgotten our guests and their surprise party, even the anniversary itself had slipped my mind.
"Hello in there," John Emery called. "Come on out, you two."
Martha pressed my hand once more. Then she stepped to the door and opened it.
"Happy anniversary!"
We stood frozen. We'd expected only a few visitors, some of our nearest neighbors. But the yard was full of people. They crowded up our walk and in the road and more of them were still piling out of cars. It looked as if everyone in the district was along.
"Come on out," Emery called. "You too, Duane."