"My birthday—sixty-seven—the years do run up when once you begin to count 'em! But about the baskets—thinks I to myself, 'The grocer's man left 'em at the wrong place,' but he must have druv away fast, there wasn't a soul in sight, and then I comes in for my specs and there was my name writ in black and white 'Mrs. Keturah Kump, with best wishes for her birthday!' I nearly wilted! I got so narvous-like that I could hardly lift 'em! And who was livin' to care for me or my birthday? All my folks dead—all but the young ones. They live out west and don't bother their heads about me. But about the baskets—you'd orter see what they held—a good share of everything—I'll show you my cupboard stocked, and lots of things down cellar—and there, I'd been worryin' and doubtin', not bein' able to work for so long. I don't mind tellin' you, Mis' Lee, now that things is changed for the best, that I was about at the end of my string. Sugar and tea about out and not enough flour to last a day longer! I unpacked the baskets and stood and looked at the things—butter and eggs and bread and cake and blackberry jam, the only spread I ever et, and I put 'em away as if in a dream, leavin' out a snack to make breakfast, though I was so excited I couldn't swallow a bite!
"I put on a drawin' of tea, and puttered about settin' the table, when all at once I spied a little passel that I had set aside when I brought the baskets in. So I opened it—and what do you think! I sat right down by the table and cried and cried! It seemed to me that the other things might be for any old, worn-out woman, but this was just for me, and it went straight to my heart! The loveliest blue box, the inside fixed with lace just like the valentines that poor David sent me when he came courtin', and it was filled with candy, the loveliest you ever saw!—with real cherries and vi'lets fixed up, lookin' too good to eat! Just think—for me, a poor old woman that most people would think it all wasted on! Something beautiful came over the day, I felt young again, and vigorous and proud and happy all at once, just like I used to feel long years ago when I'd first see the Johnny-jump-ups in the spring, way down in the medder near the creek!"
Mrs. Kump rose suddenly and went to the big bureau, wiping her glasses as she went. Coming back, she proudly displayed Alene's box.
"Take some, child," she said to Nettie, "and you too, Mis' Lee! I thought at first it was too good for me to eat but it'll get spiled, so I'll eat it little by little, and I can keep the box to hold some trinkets I've had for years! Just see the little silver tongs! Nothin' was too good for me! Why, I felt so perked up that I got out my best dress and my silk apron, to do honor to the day!"
A score of years seemed to fall from the speaker, her eyes gleamed brightly, as she glanced from her silver-toned best dress to her listener's sympathetic countenance.
As she wended her way homeward with Nettie, who carried a huge bouquet from Mrs. Kump's garden, Mrs. Lee's thoughts dwelt on the old lady's words.
"I wish the girls had been along to hear—Ah, there they are!" she said, as, coming in sight of the Bonner house, she saw Laura and Ivy seated on the front steps.
Nettie gave a screech of delight and jumped across a gutter to make a short cut to exhibit her flowers.
Mrs. Bonner, hearing voices, came to the door and one of the boys brought out chairs for her and Mrs. Lee.
"As you are all so much interested, I guess I'll sit down a while and tell you all about Mrs. Kump's birthday!" said Mrs. Lee. "Now, not so many questions! Yes, she got the baskets with her name printed so artistically on the card, and she never suspects who gave the things. She has enough to tide her over for a long time, and the jam went to the right spot, but guess what it was that pleased her the most."