A Gathering of Days: Chapters 4–8

Cassie, who does not know of the phantom, observes that A. protested but little, and that this is a confirmation he was indeed the culprit. As I am quite certain ’tis the phantom’s work, again are wrong and right confused, and by what plausible signs.

In this day, under skies so blue they seemed entirely to mock me, I have despaired, have been enlightened; and, at what ought have been the height of my joy, been again cast down.

Cassie turned to me at this, sorrowful & rebuking. Forgetting myself I exclaimed aloud, “But no lie is asked!” Thus was our teacher’s attention drawn and, I composing my face the faster, Cassie was chastised.

Going home I walked abreast of her, carefully matching my step to hers, hoping she might send me a glance that I might return with a smile. But she, so gentle, was adamant; and turned at her gate without speaking.

Going home I walked abreast of her, carefully matching my step to hers, hoping she might send me a glance that I might return with a smile. But she, so gentle, was adamant; and turned at her gate without speaking.

“No, ’tis I," I begged.
At length, amidst what stinging tears, we each of us heard the other out—for even as I had taken her view, so surely had she, in sleepless hours, come to accord with mine. Such turnabout evoked wan smiles; and when, at last, we spoke again Cassie said so quietly it was nearly a whisper, “Kindness must be the highest virtue—don’t let me forget that ever...."

“No, ’tis I," I begged.
At length, amidst what stinging tears, we each of us heard the other out—for even as I had taken her view, so surely had she, in sleepless hours, come to accord with mine. Such turnabout evoked wan smiles; and when, at last, we spoke again Cassie said so quietly it was nearly a whisper, “Kindness must be the highest virtue—don’t let me forget that ever...."

(Could he have known when he wrote in my book that I, tho’ a child, had been installed in my mother’s place? If so, were he a local man? Did Providence guide his hand?)

Folding the quilt as small as we might, & wrapping some sausage and apples within, we crossed behind the Shipmans’ house, reached the road, and thence proceeded to the phantom’s stone. (Asa dubbed it thus one day, and the name has taken.)

As part of our plan I carried along the fateful lesson book.

“That grey,” she’d said, “was a waistcoat once, the drab’s my father’s trousers. Tis said the pieces of scarlet are old, cut from the back of a Hessian’s coat left behind in battle...”

Tis icy water, and clear—
I told Father of their sport and that I thought it foolishness to skate there where the ice is thin, risking, likely, life and limb to slake a simple thirst.

When I came down to the kitchen this morning I discovered the following, deftly penned by Father: It requires but little discernment to discover the imperfections of others; but much humility to acknowledge our own.

When I came down to the kitchen this morning I discovered the following, deftly penned by Father: It requires but little discernment to discover the imperfections of others; but much humility to acknowledge our own.

When I came down to the kitchen this morning I discovered the following, deftly penned by Father: It requires but little discernment to discover the imperfections of others; but much humility to acknowledge our own.

This time it proved a phantom phantom!—an upright stump seen through flung snow, revealed as being naught but that when the wind subsided!

There have been, these two weeks past, reports of modest thefts.

How it regaled us, Matty and I, to watch his hands, so used to the plow, curve to women’s implements and awkwardly employ them.

He loudly lamented the great injustice that he must struggle with Arithmetic while Cassie and I, indeed all we girls, are excused by reason of our Sex from all but the simplest cyphering, and the first four rules.

Only the tops of the fence-posts show, each one domed with caps of snow, funny and misshapen.

We thought we might be to Holderness first, but were chagrinned on reaching the bridge that others were there before us.

Good-naturedly they teazed and joked: “Been sleeping, sugaring, or shovelling?” And what the answer may have been was lost amidst the laughter, and quick new round of jests.

The way home lying mostly uphill we had a leisurely journey of it—taking our pleasure in the newly cleared road and telling each other the news we’d gleaned during our hours in town.

As pleasant vapors filled the room I deemed myself amply rewarded for the slow preparation all those weeks ago! To the soup we joined bread and cyder, also nuts and apples.

To offset the plainness of the food when we had a visitor I set out the pewterware and not the wooden bowls.

’Twas funny to hear him talk to the infant who lay all swaddled and with no knowing of who it was that spoke to him nor the words’ intention.

I must have looked quite startled at this for Mother quickly interposed, “But not till he is nearly a youth—now, Charlie, don’t be impatient for things that have to come with time.”

Because of this, and rebuilding the harrow which suffers with our rocky soil, he has had to neglect the chair with its delicate spindles.

Mr. Garrison re-published it to call smug Yankee attention to the nature of the offenses which the South condones.

...17 years of age of excellent character, and of good disposition; a very useful and handy person in a house for a turn of years.

Of the second complaint, I am guilty as charged, and pledge that I will desist.

Whatsoever I did I did in good faith, believing my offices as a Teacher to include duties of Moral Education; that in a nation founded in Freedom, the Liberty of every man ought to be tested, assessed, & debated in every age, and decade, of that nation’s life.

As I am here by your let and permission, I truly regret the dissatisfaction that has been incurred.

The M.’s point out they’ve defaulted not and thus deserve the full fee for the unexpired term.

Father says this poor nation of ours can scarce expect its affairs in order so long as New-Englanders, being what they are, care more for cash than scruples.

A delegation came ’round to the Shipmans and now the matter of Teacher Holt is as good as settled.

Catching sight of me he paused, asked if he might be of help, and then without a blush of shame, resumed his exhortation.

Although yard and road are boggy in places, yet in the deeper part of the woods is there a foot of snow.

He had three acres mowing, he says, and half a one arable.

Even as the taps were placed—the men doing this throughout the grove—the boys cut pine boughs which we then used to re-cover the shanty.