"Then we shall not be kept apart. But why do you leave it with me?"
"Because you are to decide when I tell you something."
"Do you put it off because it is so hard to tell?"
"No, because I'm not ready yet. I will be when I close out with the old woman."
"I would like to know now."
"It would be plucking green fruit," he replied.
"You know best," she said, trustfully.
The air grew chilly when the sun had set, and they returned to the cottage to sit alone in the parlor. They heard the kindly tones of the gripman talking to his children. There was a melodeon in the room, and she played a Norwegian hymn. The barefoot youngsters scampered in the passage-way.
"Let them come in," he said.
"No, they are undressed for bed," she replied. It was the evening romp, a tired mother's trial-time before the hour of rest when all are asleep.