With the approach of autumn weather Roseanne caught a cold. She continued her myriad tasks, but he could see that she was miserable. Even Cane sympathized with her gruffly. When the week of the cattle show in New York arrived, the cold was worse and she begged off the long trip on the trucks with the animals. He departed alone with his two most precious cows, scarcely thinking of her, muttering about judges and prizes.
Again she came out to the barn. "You've made me a dreadful hypocrite."
"I know it."
"You were waiting for me! Men are so disgustingly sure of everything!"
"But—"
"I've made myself cough and sniffle until I can't stop."
Hugo smiled broadly. "All aboard the carpet...."
They lay in a field that was surrounded by trees. The high weeds hid them. Goldenrod hung over them. "Life can't go on—"
"Like this," he finished for her.