“But that’s just it, Uncle Colonel. God won’t. And——”
“How do you know, boy? Don’t you go dictating to the Almighty. He has his own ways and times that to His wisdom seem best. Who are we to instruct Him what to do and when? No, boy, leave the ordering of the universe to God. Do your own work and let God do His. But this thing may lead to some desperate deed.”
“Onawata is acting very queerly. She sits for hours under the trees. She eats little food. She gets up at night and wanders round the house. I am awfully afraid she will do something. What can I do?”
“We can only watch her, and do all we can to turn her mind to other things,” said the Colonel. “She is very, very lonely and very sad, and by continual kindness we may help her to forget.”
“She will never forget,” said Paul.
The very next day Paul was much cheered by the proposal of Onawata that they should all go riding. Immediately he responded to the suggestion. Saddles and bridles were furbished up, with saddle bags for food, and a delightful day was spent by the family, with Peg in charge of little Tanna. This was but the beginning of many such days throughout the golden month of September, and Paul reported to the colonel a most cheering improvement in Onawata’s whole bearing.
“That is quite good news. Poor thing! she will soon be all right again. Keep up the riding excursions. Peg is quite delighted. They are doing her as well as Onawata a world of good. Keep ’em up, Paul, keep ’em up. If we could only get her interested in our local social events now it would be a great thing for her. There’s our fall picnic now coming off next week. By Jove! I shall speak to Augusta. We must get her out to that, eh? what? Must try to work that, eh?” The Colonel was full of a generous excitement over the prospect.
To his utter surprise and delight Paul found Onawata quite ready to consider the possibility of the picnic, and during the days intervening the whole family was occupied with preparations for the great event. It was no small disappointment to all concerned therefore that on the morning of the picnic day both Peter and Tanna were so completely in the grip of some children’s ailment as to be quite unfit to support the excitements of the day. There was nothing for it but that the mother and children should abandon all thought of anything but a perfectly quiet day at home. Paul attached himself to the Colonel’s party, and Peg attached herself to Paul. For that day at least Paul appeared to throw off the cares of manhood so prematurely thrust upon him and with Peg abandoned himself to the delights of a boy’s holiday. The dark of the evening found two very happy people riding up the lane toward the “big white house.”
“It has been a wonderful day, Paul,” said Peg, “and you have been just like you used to.”
“It’s been a jolly day, all right,” said Paul. “And I am awfully glad Joseph showed those fellows how to jump.”