Then he stood on the hearth, looking like a guilty child.
Ephraim went slowly over to the window; he did not feel quite so well again.
Deborah's harsh "Whoa!" sounded before the door; presently she came in, her garments radiating cold air, her arms full of bundles.
"What you standin' there for, father ?" she demanded of Caleb.

"Why didn't you come out an' take some of these bundles?
Why ain't you goin' out an' puttin' the horse up instead of standin' there starin' ?" "I'm goin' right off, mother," Caleb answered, apologetically; and he turned his old back towards her and scuffled out in haste.
"Put on your cap!" Deborah called after him.
She laid off her many wraps, her hood and veil, and mufflers and shawls, folded them carefully, and carried them into her bedroom, to be laid in her bureau drawers.

Deborah was very orderly and methodical.
"Did you take your medicine ?" she asked Ephraim as she went out of the room.
"Yes, ma'am," said he.

He did not feel nearly as well; he kept his face turned from his mother.

Ephraim was accustomed to complain freely, but now the coasting and the mince-pie had made him patient.
He was quite sure that his bad feelings were due to that, and suppose his mother should suspect and ask him what he had been doing! He was also terrified by the thought of the holly-gull and her unfulfilled order about the apple-paring.