Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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.. QAEGIS .. Mrs. Graham drew out a chair. VVon't you sit down? We are very glad indeed that you have come, she said cordially. Did John explain about the work? Her tone was a little doubtful, for he did not seem to be the sort of man to do farm work. Yet she thought, If I am not mistaken, he would go through with anything he undertook. Score one for David! Just then Ted dashed up, crying excitedly, Oh mother, the fence is down on the north side and Brindle's in the berry patch! Then we had better show her out, the young man said quickly. Hlllay Ted and I go to the rescue? Oh if you will, Mrs. Graham replied anxiously. John must have forgotten to repair that fence. In another moment, Ted and the tall young man had disappeared around the barn. Well this is really too much excitement for such a peaceful family, laughed Phyllis. He doesn't look a bit like a hired man Phil, said Barbara swinging her feet over the veranda railing. 'iJoe Trumbull eats with his knife and says 'ain't,l but I know he wouldn't. I-Ie's so polite and his voice is sort of warm and friendly. Phyllis and her mother exchanged amused glances. f'Barbara, said Alice reproachfully, You know it isn't nice to discuss people. Well lct me say just this,' begged Barbara, 'the isn't exactly hand- some, but I'll bet he is awfully nice. That's more important 'cause my Sun- day-school teacher said so! At any rate, said Mrs. Grahamfserenely, I am glad we have obtained such a dependable looking person. He is very likely working his Way through college. Have you noticed that foreign air he has about him, Phyllis? What an idea, mother! Still his clothes did seem to have a different cut from Joe Trumbull's for instance, she finished with a laugh. But as I was saying when the curtain rose on this comedy, what will we have for lunch? 'tDc:ir me, yesln exclaimed Mrs. Graham. I am glad I baked a meat loaf this morning. That boy looks as if he needed plenty of good plain food. He has probably been studying more than was good for him. Barbara will you get some lettuce from the garden? Alice, I wish you would run upstairs and see if Johnls room is in order. Goodness me exclaimed Phyllis to her mother in mock alarm, that boy, as you call him has fairly bewitched the family. You will have him a. prince in disguise or a knight-errant next. Still I admit he is exciting when one is used to Joe Trumbullf' A half-hour later she was filling rows of shining jars with jam, when glancing up she saw the newcomer standing at the kitchen door, which opened on the vine covered porch. She made a pretty picture in her simple gingham dress. Her cheeks were flushed a rose pink from the heat of the stove and her bright hair was charmingly disarranged. Judging from the expression on his face it was not lost on the young man. Do you know, he said boyishly, this is just what I have always thought a real kitchen should be, sort of old-fashioned and homey. That is, all but for one thing, he amended with a twinkle. , And what is that? asked Phyllis making a mental note of the fact that he had line eyes. 'tThere should be a cat by the stove, he said gravely. One of those comfortable, peaceful creatures to whom life is just one long nap. -21923 c- 26

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.. QAEGIS .. This will be the first time in five years, that John has deserted us. He has always seemed as dependable as the Rock of Gibraltar, returned Phyllis mischievously. But we will surely be able to hire another man while he is away, said Alice. Oh yes, he promised to get someone before he leaves tonight. He went to the village early this morning. 'tGoodness me, mother, exclaimed Phyllis en route for the kitchen, We have forgotten all about the preserves. It will be a mercy if they haven't burned. When she returned, cheeks flushed and blue eyes glowing, Mrs. Graham was gazing out over the strawberry beds, a far-away look in her eyes. Strawberry time always makes me think of your father, children, she said softly. t'You set out the first plant, Phyllis, don't you remember? , t'Yes Mother, she answered dreamily, I can hear him now, saying in his kindly, cheery voice, 'I know that this will bear the finest fruit of all, little daughter. Would that all bitterness and misunderstanding might be removed before it blossomsl' His voice was sad then, but why, I did not understand. 'tHe meant the quarrel between himself and Frank Russel, a distant rela- tive of his. There was a misunderstanding about their uncle's will. Frank Russel felt that he had been wronged and blamed your father for it. He never became reconciled, though they had been great friends. He became quite wealthy. I believe. Did this Mr. Russel have any ehildrenfll' inquired Alice. Yes he had one son. It seems that he was rather a disappointment tc his father, as he had no taste for business. They were not congenial. Let me see, he is your third cousin, children. Too distant to be alarming. Anyway he is probably not interested in poor relations, said Phyllis decidedly. Poor but particular, came from Ted. Besides he might be just like his Dad. Dear me, Mrs. Graham replied, smiling, I see you are already preju- diced against him. But he is not likely to trouble us, as he is studying music abroad, I believe. 'tWell dear people, said Phyllis lightly, speculating about unknown cousins is very interesting, but we shall have to get back to realities, for John is coming up the road. The poor man must be hungry. Mother, what will we have for lunch? Sure enough the old white horse and buggy were turning in at the driveway. Why that isnit John! exlaimed Barbara, in the act of eating a particu- larly large, luscious strawberry. The buggy stopped at the barn. A young man jumped lightly out, and hat in hand approached the veranda. Good morning he said smiling at the surprised faces of the Grahams. Mr. Prescott asked me to tell you that he left on the early train and hoped you would not be inconvenienced by his sudden departure. I understand that I am to work for you during his absence. Mrs. Graham seemed at a loss, so Phyllis came to the rescue. How do you do, she said, frankly, I am Phyllis Graham, and these are my mother and sisters, my youngest brother, Ted seems to have vanished. And yours? David Porter, he replied after some hesitation. Oh, she found herself saying inanely, her eyes on the initials D.P.R. which were plainly stamped on his suitcase. 25 -31923 Q'

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.. QAEGIS .. t'Oh, we have relegated Tabby to the barn, for though she may be pic- turesque, she is not sanitary, replied Phyllis with an appreciative laugh. But what do you think of Father's strawberry beds? Phyllis thought it time to turn the conversation to business. They are remarkable, I have never seen berries of such size and flavor. They should bring you a good price. We have a standing order with several Boston Firms. Then she added impulsively, Those strawberry beds were all that Father had to leave us and somehow we look on them as a trust, because you see, he loved them. , Phyllis found herself wondering why she should be telling all this to a stranger. When she had finished sealing the last crimson jar of jam, she glanced up and met the eyes of this astonishing young man. There could be no doubt of the genuine interest a.nd sympathy in them. Miss Graham, he said earnestly, I realize that I am a perfect stranger to you, but won't you permit me to share in the responsibility of this trust? At this interesting moment, Ted made his appearance with his usual abrupt- ness and his usual cry of Say, Phil, when do we eat? Then catching sight of the young man at the door, Come on in Dave. I want to show you my new jack knife. It 's got three blades. And sis you ought to see how he fixed up that fence. I'll bet Brindle doesn't get through there again. Did sl1e do much damage? inquired Phyllis anxiously. t'Just a little in one place. It takes her so long to travel, he exclaimed off-handedly. Ted will you undertake to show Mr. Porter to his room? she whisked a pan of biscuits from the oven. 'tCome right. down again, won't you, because lunch will be ready in a minute? You must think us a dreadfully unsystematic family, she added, turn- ing to the obviously interested young man. No, Miss Graham, he replied seriously, But a very delightful, satis- fying family, one whom it is rarely one's fortune to meet. The conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Mrs. Graham, flushed and laughing. Mercy children, she exclaimed, What will Barbara think of next? I found her out in the hen-house, dyeing the old white hen with shoe-blackingf' Why Mr. Porter, she added apologetically, Haven't you found your room yet? Come on, I will take you up myself ! And so, with that lack of ceremony which had a great deal to do with their charm, the Grahams made David Porter one of them, giving him their friend- ship without measure or question. They simply took him at his face value, and found that entirely satisfactory. Mrs. Graham mothered him, and noted with satisfaction that his pallor was replaced by a rich coat of tan: Ted had a severe attack of hero-worship: Alice and Barbara found an older brother in him: and there could be no doubt that he enjoyed Phyllis, society. Occasionally they would take long tramps' over the hills, exulting in the zest of the wind from the salt-marshes. Sometimes they would go for miles without exchanging a word, for the bond of sympathy and understanding be- tween them, sufficed. But most of those golden June days were spent in harvesting the abundant, yield of strawberries. It was amazing how much knowledge David had gleaned from the taciturn John. But it was supplemented by a seemingly inexhaustible fund of cheerful- 27 -DICDZ3 Q'