She shivered and drew me closer to her.
"Because, Jane—I am afraid of Jane. She is so strong, and I am so weak. If she wanted you, or anybody, she would take you."
For all reply to this nonsense I kissed her good night.
CHAPTER XI
MARRIAGE
Old scenes—How home looks after the city—My sister-in-law—In the country a man grows old—The judge once more—I make Will a suggestion—The joy of success—My wedding breakfast—Unexpected talk—The hand of Jane
Just before we were married, Sarah and I went down to my old home in Jasonville. She was determined that I should make it up with my folks; it hurt her gentle heart to think that I had lived all these years without any news of my kin. It was a freezing January day when we drove up to the red brick house next the store. As we rattled over the rutty streets in the depot carriage, and passed the small frame houses all closed in for the winter, I couldn't help feeling a most pharisaical pleasure in knowing that I wasn't condemned to live in this bleak little town.
When I knocked at the door, mother came to see who was there. She knew me at once, but she looked at me slowly, in the questioning way I remembered so well, before she said:—
"Well, Van! You've come back?"