I thought of the pigeons he had shot, and of the summary treatment he gave me--of his coldness and silence toward Aunt Mercy, and my eyes remained dry; but mother and Aunt Mercy wept bitterly.

After it was over, and they had gone back to the empty house, they removed their heavy bonnets, kissed each other, said they knew that he was in heaven, and held a comforting conversation about the future; but my mind was chained to the edge of the yawning grave into which I had seen his coffin lowered.
"Shut up the old shell, Mercy," said father.

"Come, and live with us." She was rejoiced at the prospect, for the life at our house was congenial, and she readily and gratefully consented.

She came in a few days, with a multitude of boxes, and her plants.

Mother established her in the room next the stairs--good place for her, Veronica said, for she could be easily locked out of our premises.