Part 45

“What would you like, Uncle James?”

“You needn't trouble him about it,” explained his wife. “He'll like whatever I do, won't you, James?”

“Yes'm, just as you say.”

After dinner, when Ruth broached the subject of furniture, she was gratified to find that Aunt Jane had no serious objections. “I kinder hate to part with it, Ruth,” she said, “but in a way, as you may say, it's yours.”

“'Tisn't like giving it away, Aunty--it's all in the family, and, as you say, you're not using it.”

“That's so, and then James and me are likely to come and make you a long visit, so I'll get the good of it, too.”

Ruth was momentarily stunned, but rallied enough to express great pleasure at the prospect. As Aunt Jane began to clear up the dishes, Mr. Ball looked at his niece, with a certain quiet joy, and then, unmistakably, winked.

“When you decide about the wedding present, Aunty, let me know, won't you?” she asked, as Mrs. Ball came in after the rest of the dishes. “Mr. Winfield would like to send you a remembrance also.” Then Ruth added, to her conscience, “I know he would.”

“He seems like a pleasant-spoken feller,” remarked Aunt Jane. “You can ask him to supper to-night, if you like.”

“Thank you, Aunty, but we're going to Miss Ainslie's.”

“Huh!” snorted Mrs. Ball. “Mary Ainslie ain't got no sperrit!” With this enigmatical statement, she sailed majestically out of the room.

During the afternoon, Ruth finished her packing, leaving out a white shirt-waist to wear to Miss Ainslie's. When she went down to the parlour to wait for Winfield, Aunt Jane appeared, with her husband in her wake.

“Ruth,” she announced, “me and James have decided on a weddin' present. I would like a fine linen table-cloth and a dozen napkins.”

“All right, Aunty.”

“And if Mr. Winfield is disposed to it, he can give me a lemonade set--one of them what has different coloured tumblers belongin' to it.”

“He'll be pleased to send it, Aunty; I know he will.”

“I'm a-layin' out to take part of them two hundred dollars what's sewed up in James's belt, and buy me a new black silk,” she went on. “I've got some real lace to trim it with, whet dames give me in the early years of our engagement. Don't you think a black silk is allers nice, Ruth?”

“Yes, it is, Aunty; and just now, it's very stylish.”

“You appear to know about such things. I guess I'll let you get it for me in the city when you buy the weddin' present. I'll give you the money, and you can get the linin's too, while you're about it.”

“I'll send you some samples, Aunty, and then you can take your choice.”

“And--” began Mrs. Ball.

“Did you know Mrs. Pendleton was going away, Aunty?” asked Ruth, hastily.

“Do tell! Elmiry Peavey goin' travellin'?”

“Yes, she's going somewhere for a visit--I don't know just where.”

“I had laid out to take James and call on Elmiry,” she said, stroking her apron thoughtfully, while a shadow crossed Mr. Ball's expressive face; “but I guess I'll wait now till I get my new black silk. I want her to know I've done well.”

A warning hiss from the kitchen and the odour of burning sugar impelled Aunt Jane to a hasty exit just as Winfield came. Uncle James followed them to the door.

“Niece Ruth,” he said, hesitating and fumbling at his belt, “be you goin' to get merried?”

“I hope so, Uncle,” she replied kindly.