How homely it all was! how free from any attempt at display of style! yet equally free from any trace of vulgarity or ill-natured gossip.  Mousie had added grace to the banquet with her blooming plants and dried grasses; and, although the dishes had been set on the table by my wife’s and children’s hands, they were daintily ornamented and inviting.  All had been within our means and accomplished by ourselves; and the following morning brought no regretful thoughts.  Our helpful friends went home, feeling that they had not bestowed their kindness on unthankful people whose scheme of life was to get and take, but not to return.

CHAPTER XLIV

WE CAN MAKE A LIVING IN EDEN

Well, our first year was drawing to a close.  The 1st of December was celebrated by an event no less momentous than the killing of our pigs, to Winnie’s and Bobsey’s intense excitement.  In this affair my wife and I were almost helpless, but Mr. Jones and Bagley were on hand, and proved themselves veterans, while Mrs. Jones stood by my wife until the dressed animals were transformed into souse, head-cheese, sausage, and well-salted pork.  The children feasted and exulted through all the processes, especially enjoying some sweet spareribs.

I next gave all my attention, when the weather permitted, to the proper winter covering of all the strawberries, and to the cutting and carting home of old and dying trees from the wood lot.

The increasing cold brought new and welcome pleasures to the children.  There was ice on the neighboring ponds, and skates were bought as premature Christmas presents.  The same was true of sleds after the first fall of snow.  This white covering of the earth enabled Merton and Junior to track some rabbits in the vicinity, which thus far had eluded their search.

By the middle of the month we realized that winter had begun in all its rather stern reality; but we were sheltered and provided for.  We had so far imitated the ants that we had abundant stores until the earth should again yield its bounty.

Christmas brought us more than its wonted joy, and a better fulfilment of the hopes and anticipations which we had cherished on the same day of the previous year.  We were far from regretting our flight to the country, although it had involved us in hard toil and many anxieties.  My wife was greatly pleased by my many hours of rest at the fireside in her companionship, caused by days too cold and wintry for outdoor work; but our deepest and most abiding content was expressed one evening as we sat alone after the children were asleep.

“You have solved the problem, Robert, that was worrying you.  There is space here for the children to grow, and the Daggetts and the Ricketts and all their kind are not so near as to make them grow wrong, almost in spite of us.  A year ago we felt that we were virtually being driven to the country.  I now feel as if we had been led by a kindly and divine hand.”  I had given much attention to my account-book of late, and had said, “On New Year’s morning I will tell you all the result of our first year’s effort.”