Almost every day she dropped in at the windmill shop for a moment's
call and chat, the subject of that chat always, of course, the
same.
"I told you he would succeed," she declared, her eyes shining and
her face alight. "I told you so, Jed. And he has. Mr. Barber,
the cashier, told me yesterday that Charles was the best man they
had had in the bank for years. And every time I meet Captain
Hunniwell he stops to shake hands and congratulates me on having
such a brother. And they like him, not only because he is
successful in the bank, but for himself; so many people have told
me so. Why, for the first time since we came to Orham I begin to
feel as if I were becoming acquainted, making friends."
Jed nodded. "He's a nice young chap," he said, quietly.
"Of course he is. . . . You mustn't mind my shameless family
boasting," she added, with a little laugh. "It is only because I
am so proud of him, and so glad--so glad for us all."
Jed did not mind. It is doubtful if at that moment he was aware of
what she was saying. He was thinking how her brother's coming had
improved her, how well she was looking, how much more color there
was in her cheeks, and how good it was to hear her laugh once more.
The windmill shop was a different place when she came. It was a
lucky day for him when the Powlesses frightened him into letting
Barbara and her mother move into the old house for a month's trial.
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