Mr. Meade noticed the abstraction and surmised the cause, but was not disturbed in the least, satisfied that in Fred’s case the malady was not incurable.
CHAPTER XI—HILDA’S LETTERS TO HER OLD HOME
Hilda, in the meantime, was pursuing the even tenor of her way. Her church and Sabbath school duties were faithfully performed; she went daily to the Woodmont high school, enjoyed her music and art lessons, and took interest in the minor employments of the home which would have naturally devolved upon a daughter of the house. Always busy, cheerful, amiable and affectionate, she endeared herself more and more to the motherly heart of Mrs. Warfield.
Paul had taken upon himself the charge of the farm, thus relieving his mother of all care, and Ben Duvall, his efficient foreman and all-around helper, was living happily with his wife and children in their little home in the village, walking out to the Warfield farm in the morning and back in the evening, satisfied with the world and all it contained.
One morning a few weeks after Hilda’s engagement to Fred, she set out for a walk to the village, having several little commissions on hand, among them to call upon Mrs. Duvall with a message from Mrs. Warfield. Her heart was buoyant with the thought of the festivities that were to follow Paul’s wedding, now near at hand, and her frequent meetings with the young people of the neighborhood in consequence. Her gown was being made by the village dressmaker and her first call was there, and all being satisfactory, she passed on to the neat home of Mrs. Duvall.
“Something told me that you would be here to-day, Miss Hilda,” said Susie cordially, as she opened the door; “the chickens keep crowing and a little black spider came down from the ceiling, which is a sure sign of a visitor, and I said to myself, ‘That is Miss Hilda.’”
“I am very glad you thought of me, Mrs. Duvall,” smiled Hilda, amused at the superstition, as she took the proffered seat. “Here is a package of cake Aunt Sarah sent to the children, and she told me to ask if it would be convenient for you to come three days of next week to help Angie. You know that Cousin Paul is to be married on Tuesday, and on Thursday evening we are to have a reception, and hope you can come on Tuesday morning.”
“Nothing but sickness will prevent me, Miss Hilda,” said Susie, warmly; “Mrs. Warfield has always been a kind friend to me and I love the two boys as if they were my own. You know I lived with Mrs. Warfield for years, and the farmhouse was a real home to me, and she was always good and kind to me.”
“Yes, and aunt said she could always count upon you, and is quite sure you will come and help.”
“I wish she could always count so surely upon that wife Paul is getting. I am fearful of it, Miss Hilda. Lura De Cormis has a temper, and what is more, she doesn’t try to curb it.”