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Updated: June 16, 2025
Tunk went after the old maids and came with them in the chaise at supper time. There were two wagon-loads of young people, and, before dusk, men and their wives came sauntering up the roadway and in at the little gate. Two or three of the older men wore suits of black broadcloth, the stock and rolling collar relics of "old decency" back in Vermont or Massachusetts or Connecticut.
Tunk, who had been outside the door in his best clothes, but who, since he put them on, had looked as if he doubted the integrity of his suspenders and would not come in the house, began to laugh loudly. "That man Tunk can see the comedy in all but himself," was Trove's thought, as he returned with a smile of amusement.
And some invisible bird was making a hollow beating sound among the trees near at hand. TUNK.... TUNK, and out of the dry grass came a twittering. There was a green light in the east that grew stronger, and the stars after their magnitudes were dissolving in the blue; only a few remained faintly visible. The sound of birds increased.
The teacher went with him out under a sky bright with stars to the chill and gloomy stable. "Look at me," said Tunk, holding up the lantern as he turned about. "Gosh all fish-hooks! I'm a wreck." "What's the matter?" Sidney Trove inquired. "All sunk in right here," Tunk answered impressively, his hand to his chest. "How did it happen?"
Tunk shied off and began to build a fire; Miss S'mantha sat down weeping, the girl ran away in the darkness, and Trove put the baby in Miss Letitia's arms. "I'll run over to Leblanc's cabin," said he, getting his cap and coat. "They're having trouble over there." He left them and hurried off on his way to the little cabin. Loud cries of the baby rang in that abode of silence.
The filly was now a sleek and shapely animal, past three years of age. He began at once breaking her to the saddle, and, that done, mounting, he started for Robin's Inn. He carried a game rooster in a sack for the boy Tom. All came out with a word of welcome; even the small dog grew noisy with delight Tunk Hosely, who had come to work for Mrs.
"I took this bottle, sling-shot, and bar of iron away from him. The woman thought I had better bring them with me and put them out of his way." He laid them on the floor in a corner. "I got him into bed," he continued, "and then hid the axe and came away. I guess they're all right now. When I left he had begun to snore." "Wal, we ain't all right," said Tunk, pointing to the room.
He leaned back, one foot upon the stove-hearth. Shrill cries rang in the old house. "'Druther 'twould hev been a painter," said Tunk, sighing. "Why so?" "More used to 'em," said Tunk, sadly. They listened a while longer without speaking. "Ye can't drive it, ner coax it, ner scare it away, ner do nuthin' to it," said Tunk, presently. He rose and picked up the things Trove had brought with him.
The inexplicable tunk-a-tonk, tunk, tonk of her deep-throated bell was disquieting to all the forest kindred; and the least move of her head at night was enough to keep the most interested prowler at a distance from the lair behind the hemlock. Till the snow fell deep, covering the dry grass on the meadows, the little cow throve well enough.
"As soon as they unlock my door, I'll come an' let ye out in the mornin'," Tunk whispered. "Are they going to lock me in?" "Wouldn't wonder," said Tunk, soberly. "What can ye 'spect from a couple o' dummed ol' maids like them?" There was a note of long suffering in his half-whispered tone, "Good night, mister," said he, with a look of dejection.
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