Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-11
In Adams fall
We sinned all

well Abigail" said Mrs. Hutton,
slowly and impressively | never thought
10 be told that | am losing my senses
for what you have just said Is equivalent
to that I shall settle this matter b. go
ing to the parsonage and finding out from
Mrs. Hume what color the socks are
which her husband Is wearing today
II wish you would" retorted Miss Abi-
gail
Very well-if you wish to be made
ridiculous Abagail,"
1T Is YOU who will be made ridiculous.
Betsey"
Il know what color the minister's socks
are Abigail"
Il know what color the minister's socks
are Betsey"
A sound as of an instantly suppressed
giggle made both women turn their heads,
but Matilda was intent upon her work.
Abigail, thos" socks are led"
"Betsey they are blue
The front door knOcker punctuated the
argument with a period.
Perhaps it Is Mr.. Hume come back for
something" Mrs Hutton said, suggrs-
lively
Il hope it is" Mis-. Abigail said tena-
ciOusly.
But instead Of the minister's tall. spare
figure, In nuttered a roly-poly little wom-
an, with checks Redeemed from the March
wind. and q smile at Matilda which
frightened all the long. low sitting room
like "A burst Of belated sunshine
How do you do Mrs Hutton? How
do you do. Miss Abigail? No. don't get
up. either Of you Just let me find seat
anywhere. Perhaps | shouldn't have
walked in 50 neighbOrly, but lifted the
knoCkcr twice. and you were talking so
busily that you didn't notice but what
was the wind ITSELF She laughed a
Jolly ripping laugh. What a day it has
been. TO be Sure-all blow and blow. A
BODY Is almost pulled TO pieces in being
out. told Mr.. Hume when he started
away this afternoon that IL was a poor
calling time, and you see I came right
after him. Well. I had an errand at the
store. 80 thought I'd run in here for
minute. | got entirely out Of darning
yarn. and that never will do YOU know
with six little folks at home Then Mr.
Hume does wear out his stockings so
tast. Lotta tried darning a pair for him
ms morning and what do you think? the
blessed child used white yarn There
was delightful explosion OF laughter
from the roly-poly woman And would
you believe 1t? he not only went of this
afternoon with that Identical sock on but
he didn't even get mates, This very
minute he is wearing one red sock and a
blue one. How well YOU both are looking!
never saw you have 50 much color No
i can't stay 10 take Of my wraps. thank
y'H' ~ - A4UipoN supper time. But II
ism easy to leave this open fire"
When Mrs. Hume had futtered away.
leaving the stir Of informaity behind her
the sisters knit on without looking at each
other, but their needles no longer clicked
aggressively. The room was filed with
fire glow and crackle. and the tall clock
repeated leisurely: Tick. took! tick.
took Again that sound Of a giggle.
but now repressed Matilda her face
hidden by her curLS. was laughing until
her fat self shook like jelly Miss Abb
gail looked at the little bunch Of mirth
over her glasses
Matilda" said her mother
Mann"
What are YOU laughing about"
'When-the-min his feet
up on the fender-I saw his socksl'
pause-during which the laughter
subsidized under the focus OF two pairs OF
severe eyes
Why didn't you tell US when we were
talking about ito"
Matilda put her finger in her mouth
Cause | couldn't"
Because you couldn't, wtat do YOU
mean, Matilda
Matilda bent 10 pick up the completed
sampler. which had fallen on to the door
Her face still pink from mirth. turned
lnnoceuty to her mothers question
why. cause you told me not to speak
again until l was spoken to."-[Marv
Clark Huntington in The Outlook