Comstock was pleased. "If you think that," she said, "perhaps you
will understand how, in all this present-day rush to be modern, I have
preferred to remain as I began. My husband and I took up this land, and
enough trees to build the cabin, stable, and outbuildings are nearly all
we ever cut. Of course, if he had lived, I suppose we should have kept
up with our neighbours. I hear considerable about the value of the land,
the trees which are on it, and the oil which is supposed to be under it,
but as yet I haven't brought myself to change anything. So we stand for
one of the few remaining homes of first settlers in this region. Come
in. You are very welcome to what we have."
Mrs. Comstock stepped forward and took the lead. She had a bowl of
soft water and a pair of boots to offer for the heavy waders, for outer
comfort, a glass of cold buttermilk and a bench on which to rest, in
the circular arbour until dinner was ready. Philip Ammon splashed in
the water. He followed to the stable and exchanged boots there. He was
ravenous for the buttermilk, and when he stretched on the bench in the
arbour the flickering patches of sunlight so tantalized his tired eyes,
while the bees made such splendid music, he was soon sound asleep. When
Elnora and her mother came out with a table they stood a short time
looking at him. It is probable Mrs. Comstock voiced a united thought
when she said: "What a refined, decent looking young man! How proud his
mother must be of him! We must be careful what we let him eat.
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