CHAPTER XXIX
關燈
小
中
大
Valancytoilednot,neitherdidshespin.Therewasreallyverylittleworktodo.Shecookedtheirmealsonacoal-oilstove,performingallherlittledomesticritescarefullyandexultingly,andtheyateoutontheverandahthatalmostoverhungthelake.BeforethemlayMistawis,likeasceneoutofsomefairytaleofoldtime.AndBarneysmilinghistwisted,enigmaticalsmileatheracrossthetable.
“WhataviewoldTompickedoutwhenhebuiltthisshack!”Barneywouldsayexultantly.
SupperwasthemealValancylikedbest.ThefaintlaughterofwindswasalwaysaboutthemandthecoloursofMistawis,imperialandspiritual,underthechangingcloudsweresomethingthatcannotbeexpressedinmerewords.Shadows,too.ClusteringinthepinesuntilawindshookthemoutandpursuedthemoverMistawis.Theylayalldayalongtheshores,threadedbyfernsandwildblossoms.Theystolearoundtheheadlandsintheglowofthesunset,untiltwilightwovethemallintoonegreatwebofdusk.
Thecats,withtheirwise,innocentlittlefaces,wouldsitontheverandahrailingandeatthetidbitsBarneyflungthem.Andhowgoodeverythingtasted!Valancy,amidalltheromanceofMistawis,neverforgotthatmenhadstomachs.Barneypaidhernoendofcomplimentsonhercooking.
“Afterall,”headmitted,“there’ssomethingtobesaidforsquaremeals.I’vemostlygotalongbyboilingtwoorthreedozeneggshardatonceandeatingafewwhenIgothungry,withasliceofbacononcei
