The Uncalled · Chapter 8 (2/2)

“You know on what errands the old horse used to bring me,” he went on, “but it wasn’t to be⁠—then. Hester,” he rose, went over to her, and looked down into her half-averted face, which went red and pale by turns⁠—“Hester, ain’t we wasted time enough?”

There was a long pause before she lifted her face: he stood watching her with the light of a great eagerness in his eyes. At last she spoke. There was a catch in her voice; it was softer than usual.

“ ’Liphalet,” she began, “I’m right glad you remember those days. I ain’t never furgot ’em myself. It’s true you’ve been a good, loyal friend to me, an’ I thank you fur it, but, after all these years⁠—”

He broke in upon her with something like youthful impetuosity. “After all these years,” he exclaimed, “an endurin’ love ought to be rewarded. Hester, I ain’t a-goin’ to take ‘no’ fur an answer. I’ve got lots o’ years o’ life in me yet⁠—we both have⁠—an’ I ain’t a-goin’ on with an empty home an’ an empty heart no longer.”

“ ’Liphalet, you ain’t a young man no more, an’ I ain’t a young woman, an’ the Lord⁠—”

“I don’t care ef I ain’t; an’ I don’t believe in shovin’ everything off on the Lord.”

“ ’Liphalet!” It was a reproach.

“Hester!” This was love. He put his arm around her and kissed her. “You’re a-goin’ to say yes, ain’t you? You ain’t a-goin’ to send me away miserable? You’re a-dyin’ to say yes, but you’re a-tryin’ to force yoreself not to. Don’t.” He lifted her face as a young lover might, and looked down into her eyes. “Is it yes?”

“Well, ’Liphalet it ’pears like you’re jest so pesterin’ that I’ve got to say yes. Yes, then.” And she returned the quiet but jubilant kiss that he laid upon her lips.

“After all these years,” he said. “Sorrow may last fur a night, but joy cometh in the mornin’. It was a long night, but, thank the Lord, mornin’s broke.” Then, rising, he went to the door and called joyously, “Freddie, come on in: it’s all over.”

“ ’Liphalet, did that boy know what you was a-goin’ to say?”

“Yes, o’ course he did.”

“Oh, my! oh, my! Well, I’ve got a good mind to take it all back. Oh, my!” And when Fred came in, for the first time in her life Miss Prime was abashed and confused in his presence.

But Eliphalet had no thought of shame. He took her by the hand and said, “Freddie, Miss Hester’s consented at last: after thirty years, she’s a-goin’ to marry me.”

But Miss Hester broke in, “ ’Liphalet, don’t be a-puttin’ notions in that boy’s head. You go ’way, Fred, right away.”

Fred went out, but he felt bolder. He went past Elizabeth’s house whistling. He didn’t care. He wondered if he would have to wait thirty years for her. He hoped not.