"He is queer," William said; "queer as Dick's hatband; but that's all.
Sam wouldn't do a mean thing, or a dirty thing, any more than a girl
would."
"And now he thinks he's in love with this Richie woman," Martha went
on--but William made his escape. He had to go and hitch up, he said.
Before he took Jinny out of her stall he went into the harness-room
and hunted about on a shelf until, behind a rusty currycomb and two
empty oil-bottles, he found a small mirror. It was misty and flecked
with clear spots where the quicksilver had dropped away, but when he
propped it against the cobwebbed window he could see himself fairly
well. Staring into its dim depths he retied his necktie; then he
backed the buggy out of the carriage-house. But after he had put his
mare between the shafts he hesitated.... The buggy was very shabby; it
sagged badly on the right side and there was a rent in the faded
cushion. The doctor looked at his watch.... Then, hurriedly, led Jinny
back to her stall, got a bucket of water and a sponge, and washed off
the dashboard and wheels. After that he fumbled along a dusty beam to
find a bottle of oil with which he touched up the harness. But when
all was done he shook his head. The buggy was hopeless. Nevertheless,
when he climbed in and slapped Jinny's flank with the newly oiled rein
he was careful to sit in the middle of the seat to make the springs
truer, and he avoided the mud-puddles on the road up to the Stuffed
Animal House. There were a good many puddles, for it had rained the
day before. To-day the clouds had gathered up behind the hills into
white domes, but the sky was that faint April blue that dims easily
into warm mists. There was the smell of earth, the fainter scent of
unopened buds, and from the garden borders of the Stuffed Animal House
came the pungent odor of box.
Helena Richie, standing by a bed of crown-imperials, bareheaded, a
trowel in her gloved hand, her smooth cheek flushed with the unwonted
exertion of planting seeds, caught the exquisite breath of the box,
and sighed; then, listlessly, she turned to walk back towards the
house. Before she reached it the gate clicked and Dr. King came up the
path. She saw him and looked hurriedly about, as if seeking a way of
escape, but it was too late.
"Gardening?" he called to her.
"Yes," she said, and her smile like reluctant sunshine did not betray
to the doctor that he was not welcome.