varying moods. It would almost appear that she was taking a mysterious
interest in Holcroft's affairs; but whether it was a kindly interest or not,
one might be at a loss to decide. When she caught him away from home, she
pelted him with the coldest of rain and made his house, with even Mrs. Mumpson
and Jane abiding there, seem a refuge. In the morning after the day on which
he had brought, or in a sense had carted, Mrs. Wiggins to his domicile, Nature
was evidently bent on instituting contrasts between herself and the rival
phases of femininity with which the farmer was compelled to associate. It may
have been that she had another motive and was determined to keep her humble
worshiper at her feet, and to render it impossible for him to make the changes
toward which he had felt himself driven.

Being an early riser he was up with the sun, and the sun rose so serenely and
smiled so benignly that Holcroft's clouded brow cleared in spite of all that
had happened or could take place. The rain, which had brought such discomfort
the night before, had settled the ground and made it comparatively firm to his
tread. The southern breeze which fanned his cheek was as soft as the air of
May. He remembered that it was Sunday, and that beyond feeding his stock and
milking, he would have nothing to do. He exulted in the unusual mildness and
thought, with an immense sense of relief, "I can stay outdoors nearly all
day." He resolved to let his help kindle the fire and get breakfast as they
could, and to keep out of their way. Whatever changes the future might bring,
he would have one more long day in rambling about his fields and in thinking
over the past. Feeling that there need be no haste about anything, he
leisurely inhaled the air, fragrant from springing grass, and listened with a
vague, undefined pleasure to the ecstatic music of the bluebirds,
song-sparrows, and robins. If anyone had asked him why he liked to hear them,
he would have replied, "I'm used to 'em. When they come, I know that plowing
and planting time is near."