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"I hope they'll get their feather cloaks on before cold weather," said her father. "'Milyer, that child must go to bed! I don't see why you want to keep her up all hours of the night." They hugged each other a little closer this time and did not laugh, but just kissed softly. It was beginning to grow dusky. The peeps and crickets and katydids were out in force.
Underhill had declared at first, "She wouldn't stir a step. 'Milyer could buy out his brother's part in the house" the two hundred acres had been already divided. But people had begun to complain even then that farming did not pay, and John wanted to learn a trade. And if three or four went out of the old home nest! Steve wanted his father in New York.
"Well, there's time for her to learn. And perhaps she will not really like the young man." "She likes him already. 'Milyer, you're blind as a bat." "Well, if they like each other it's the way of the world. It's been going on since Adam." "It's simply ridiculous to have Margaret perking herself up for beaux."
When the boys were grown up and married, settled in their own homes, she and 'Milyer would go back to Yonkers on their part of the farm and have a nice big house for their old age and for the grandchildren. In her motherly heart she hoped there would be a good many of them. She couldn't have spared any of her eight children. The house in First Street seemed very queer.
Underhill shortened it to 'Milyer. The little girl's name was Hannah Ann. The school children called her Han and Hanny. One grandmother always said Hanneran. But being the youngest, the most natural name seemed "little girl." There were three sons to lead off, Stephen Decatur, Joseph Bennett, and John Fowler.
Stephen kissed his sister and gave her a rapturous hug. Hanny came up-stairs and Margaret hurried through her change of attire. "I thought you never were coming," began their mother tartly. "'Milyer, you're the worst of the lot when you get your nose buried in a newspaper. Boys, do keep still, though I suppose you're half starved," with a reproachful look at those who had delayed the meal.
"Seems to me we were far from miserable. As I remember it was a very happy year." "Don't be silly, 'Milyer. And you're so soft about the children. You haven't a bit of sense about them." In her heart she knew she would not give up one year of her married life for anything the world could offer. "Margaret knows no more about housekeeping than a cat," she continued.
And what you will do when I am gone " "We're not going to let you get away so easy. And if you would just go out a bit now and then. Come, mother," with entreaty in his voice. "Oh, 'Milyer," she said, touched by something in the tone, "I really can't go to-day. I've all those shirts to cut out, and Miss Weir told me of a girl who would be glad to come and sew for fifty cents a day.
She complained that 'Milyer spoiled the children, but they were good-natured and jolly, and quite up to the average. After supper the cows were milked, the horses fed and bedded, Margaret and her mother packed up the dishes in a big basket, and the boys took them down to Mary. Mrs. Underhill looked after the milk. The little girl went out on the wide porch and studied her lessons.
Uncle Faid had really sold his farm, stock, and crops, and was to give possession in September. Then they would visit their two sons and some of Aunt Betsey's people in Michigan, and get on about Christmas. "It's a shame to have to give up the house," declared Cousin Odell. "Can't you keep it, 'Milyer?" "A bargain's a bargain.
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