The Enchanted Barn

by Grace Livingston Hill

  CHAPTER XIV

  The first few days in the new home were filled with wonder and delightfor them all. They just could not get used to having plenty of roomindoors, with all outdoors for a playground. Doris's cheeks took on alovely pink, and her eyes began to sparkle. She and Harley spent allday out-of-doors. They were making a garden. Not that they had anyexperience or any utensils. There was an old hoe and a broken spadedown in the basement of the barn, and with these Harley managed toremove a few square feet of young turf, and mellow up an inch or two ofsoil depth. In this they planted violet roots and buttercups anddaisies which they found in the meadows. Doris had a corner all herown, with neat rows of tiny stones from the brook laid in elaboratebaby-patterns around the edge, and in this she stuck twigs and weeds ofall descriptions, and was never daunted, only pained and surprised whenthey drooped and died in a day or two and had to be supplanted byothers.

  It had been decided that Harley was to stop school and stay at homewith mother and Doris, which indeed he was quite willing to do underthe glamour of the new life. The school itself never had muchattraction for him, and "the fellows" were almost forgotten insearching for angleworms and building dams in the creek.

  Carol went to high school every morning with Shirley and George on thetrolley. There were only six more weeks till the term was over, and itwas better for Carol to finish out her year and get her credits.Shirley thought they could afford the extra carfare for just thatlittle while, and so all day long mother and Doris and Harley keptquiet home in the old barn, and the meadows rang with Doris's shoutsand Harley's answers.

  One day the doctor came out in his machine to see Mrs. Hollister as hehad promised to do, and found her so much better that he told her shemight get up and go around a little while every day if she was verycareful not to get over-tired. He prophesied a speedy return to healthif she kept on looking happy and breathing this good air. He praisedthe good sense that brought her out into the country to live, inpreference to any little tucked-up house in town, and said if she couldonly get well enough to work outdoors in the ground and have aflower-bed it would be the making of her. Her eyes brightened at that,for she loved flowers, and in the days of her youth had been extremelysuccessful at making things grow.

  The doctor was deeply interest in the barn. He walked about with hishands in his pockets, looking the rooms over, as delighted as a childat seeing a new mechanical toy.

  "Well, now this is great!" he said heartily. "This is simply great! Iadmire you people for having the nerve to go against conventionalityand come out here. If I had a few more patients who could be persuadedto go out into the country and take some of the unused old barns andfix them up to live in, I'd have to change my occupation. It's a greatidea, and I mean to recommend it to others if you don't mind. Only Idoubt if I find two others who have the nerve to follow your example."

  The invalid laughed.

  "Why, doctor, I can't see the nerve. We really hadn't any choice. Wecouldn't find a decent place that we could afford, and this was big andhealthful and cost less than the worst little tenement that would havedone in town. Any one would be a fool not to have come here."

  "Mrs. Hollister, do you know that most people would rather starve andswelter, yes--and _die_ in a conventional house, than to do such anunheard-of thing as to live in a barn, no matter how delightful thatbarn might be? You are a great little woman, Mrs. Hollister, and youdeserve to get well, and to see your children prosper. And they will.They have the right spirit."

  After his visit Mrs. Hollister began to get up a little while everyday, and her improvement in health was rapid. She even ventured out tosee Doris's garden and watch the "budie" in his nest in the tree.

  One day a drayman stopped at the place and left several great rolls ofchicken-wire, and a couple of big crates. One crate was bigger thanthe other and contained half a dozen big yellow hens and a beautifulrooster. The small crate held two lovely white rabbits.

  The children hovered joyfully over the crates.

  "Mine wabbits!" declared Doris solemnly. "Nice Mistah Dwaham giveDoris wabbits."

  "Did Mr. Graham say he was going to send you some rabbits?" questionedher mother.

  "'Es. He did say he was goin' to sen' me some wabbits. On 'e way fumchutch in big oughtymobeel. He did say he would give me wabbits. Oh,mine wabbits!" Doris was in ecstasy.

  Mrs. Hollister looked at the big rolls of wire questioningly:

  "George and I told him we wanted some chickens. I guess that's why hesent 'em," announced Harley excitedly.

  "I hope you boys didn't hint. That's very bad manners. You know Ican't have Mr. Graham giving you such expensive presents; it won't do,dear."

  "No, mother, we didn't hint. George just asked him if he minded if wekept chickens here, and he said no, indeed, he'd like to go into thebusiness himself. He said he used to have a lot of his own when he wasa boy, and he guessed there was a lot of wire from the old chicken-runaround at his place yet. If there was, there wasn't any reason why itshouldn't be in use, and he'd look it up. He said, if it was, he andwe'd go into business. He'd furnish the tools and we could do thework, and maybe some day we could sell eggs and make it pay."

  "That's very kind of him, I'm sure. But, Harley, that looks like newwire. It isn't the least bit rusted."

  "It's galvanized, mother. Galvanized wire doesn't rust, don't you knowthat?" said Harley in a superior, man's voice.

  Harley and Doris were wild over their pets, and could do nothing allthat day but hover about them, and the minute George arrived the boyswent out to see about putting up some of the wire and making atemporary abode for the creatures until they could get time to plan anelaborate chicken-run.

  Before dark Graham arrived. He had brought a book on chicken-raisingand had a good many suggestions to offer. With him in the front seatof the car rode a great golden-brown dog with a white-starred face,great affectionate eyes, and a plumy white tail. He bounded floppilyout after Graham and came affably up to the door as if he understoodeverything; and at sight of him the children went wild.

  "I brought this fellow along, thinking perhaps you'd like him to helplook after things here. He's only a puppy, but he's a good breed, andI think you'll find him a splendid watch-dog. You don't need to keephim, of course, if you don't want him, Mrs. Hollister, but I thoughtout in the country this way it might be as well for you to have him onguard, at night especially. He'll be good company for the children.We've got so many of them that we want to give this one away."

  And what was there to do but accept him with thanks, a dog like thatbegging for a home, and a home like that really needing a dog?

  So the dog was promptly accepted as a member of the family, was namedStar, and accepted the overtures of his devoted worshippers in manyamiable waggings of tail and a wide puppy laugh on his face. He stayedbehind most contentedly when Graham departed after a long conferencewith George and Harley over the "chicken" book, and a long discussionin the back yard as to the best place for the chicken-run. He seemedto know from the start that he had come to stay, that this was his"job" and he was on it for life.

  It must be admitted that Mrs. Hollister went to sleep that night withmore content, knowing that big, floppy, deep-voiced dog was lyingacross the door out in the living-room. The hillside had seemed a bitlonely at night, though she had never admitted it even to herselfbefore, and she was glad the dog had come. That night in the littleprayer that she said every night with all her children gathered abouther couch in front of the fire, she added, "We thank Thee, oh, Lord,for sending us such good kind friends to make the world so much happierfor us."

  A few days later Mrs. Graham came to call.

  Her son did not explain to her anything about the Hollisters, nor say aword about the place where they were living. He merely remarkedcasually: "Mother, there are some people I'd like you to call on if youdon't mind. They live out Glenside way, and I'll take you anyafternoon you have time."

  "I
really haven't much time now before we go to the shore, Sidney," shesaid. "Couldn't they wait till the fall when we return?"

  "No, mother, I'd like you to call now. It needn't take you long, and Ithink you'll like them--her--Mrs. Hollister, I mean. Can't you go thisafternoon? I'll call for you with the car anywhere you say, alongabout half-past four or five o'clock. It will be a pleasant littledrive and rest you."

  "Shall I have to be much dressed?" asked the mother thoughtfully,"because I shouldn't have time for an elaborate toilet. I have to goto Madame's for a fitting, meet with the Red Cross committee, drop inat the hospital for a few minutes, and see Mrs. Sheppard and Mrs.Follette about our Alumni Anniversary banquet."

  "Just wear something simple, mother. They are not society people.It's you I want to show them, not your clothes."

  "You ridiculous boy! You're as unsophisticated as your father. Well,I'll be ready at half-past four. You may call for me then at theCentury Building."

  Elizabeth had been loyal to her brother's commands and had said nothingabout her new-found friend, awaiting his permission. Graham earnestlydiscussed the pros and cons of woman's suffrage with his mother duringthe drive out, so that she was utterly unprejudiced by any former ideasconcerning the Hollisters, which was exactly what her son desired herto be. He knew that his mother was a woman of the world, and hedgedabout by conventions of all sorts, but he also knew her to be fair inher judgments when once she saw a thing right, and a keen reader ofcharacter. He wanted her to see the Hollisters without the least bitof a chance to judge them beforehand.

  So when the car drew up in front of the old barn Mrs. Graham was quiteunprepared to have her son get out and open the car door and say,"Mother, this is the place: may I help you out?" She had been talkingearnestly, and had thought he was getting out to look after somethingwrong about the car. Now she looked up startled.

  "Why, Sidney! Why, you must have made a mistake! This isn't a house;it is a barn!"

  "This is the place, mother. Just come right up this way."

  Mrs. Graham picked her way over the short green turf up to the door andstood astonished while her son knocked. What in the world did he mean?Was this one of his jokes? Had he brought her out to see a newriding-horse? That must be it, of course. He was always taking afancy to a horse or a dog. She really hadn't the time to spare fornonsense this afternoon, but one must humor one's son once in a while.She stepped back absent-mindedly, her eyes resting on the soft greensand purples of the foliage across the meadows, her thoughts on the nextpaper she intended to write for the club. This incident would soon beover, and then she might pursue the even tenor of her busy way.

  Then the door slid back and she became aware of something unusual inthe tenseness of the moment. Looking up quickly she saw a beautifulgirl of about Elizabeth's age, with a wealth of dark wavy hair, lovelydark eyes, and vivid coloring, and by her side one of the loveliestgolden-haired, blue-eyed babies she had ever seen in her life. In thewonder of the moment she forgot that the outside of the building hadbeen a barn, for the curtain had risen on a new setting, and here onthe very threshold there opened before her amazed eyes a charming,homelike room.

  At first she did not take in any of the details of furnishings.Everything was tastefully arranged, and the dull tones of wall andfloor and ceiling in the late afternoon light mellowed the oldfurniture into its background so perfectly that the imperfections andmake-shifts did not appear. It was just a place of comfort and beauty,even though the details might show shabby poverty.

  But her son was speaking.

  "Mother, this is Miss Carol Hollister, and this little girl is hersister Doris----"

  Doris put out a fat hand and gravely laid it in the lady's kid glove,saying carefully, with shy lashes drooped sideways, and blue eyesfurtively searching the stranger's face.

  "How oo do?"

  Then as if she had performed her duty, she turned on her smiles anddimples with a flash, and grasping Graham's hand said,

  "Now, Mistah Dwa'm, oo tum out an' see my wabbits!"

  It was evident to the mother that her son had been here before. Shelooked at him for an explanation, but he only said to Carol,

  "Is your mother able to see callers for a few minutes?"

  "Oh, yes," said Carol with a glad little ring in her voice. "Mother isup in a chair this afternoon. See! The doctor says she may get upnow, she is so much better!" and she turned and flung out her armtoward the big easy chair where her mother sat.

  Mrs. Hollister arose and came forward to meet them.

  She was dressed in a plain little gown of cheap gray challis, muchwashed and mended, but looking somehow very nice; and Carol had justfinished fastening one of Shirley's sheer white fluffy collars aroundher neck, with a bit of a pink ribbon looped in a pretty knot. Herhair was tastefully arranged, and she looked every inch a lady as shestood to receive her unexpected guests. Graham had never seen her inany but invalid's garb before, and he stood amazed for a moment at thelikeness between her and Shirley. He introduced his mother with a fewwords, and then yielded to Doris's eager, pulling hand and went out tosee the bunnies.

  The situation was a trifle trying for both ladies, but to the woman ofthe world perhaps the more embarrassing. She hadn't a clew as to whothis was she had been brought to see. She was entirely used todominating any situation, but for a moment she was almost confused.

  Mrs. Hollister, however, tactfully relieved the situation, with agentle, "Won't you sit here by the fire? It is getting a little coolthis evening, don't you think?" and put her at once at her ease. Onlyher family would have guessed from the soft pink spots in her cheeksthat she was at all excited over her grand guest. She took theinitiative at once, leading the talk into natural channels, about thespring and its wonderful unfolding in the country, exhibited a vasewith jack-in-the-pulpits, and a glass bowl of hepaticas blushing blueand pink, told of the thrush that had built a nest in the elm over thedoor, and pointed out the view over the valley where the sinking sunwas flashing crimson from the weather-vane on the little white spire ofthe church. She said how much they had enjoyed the sunsets sincecoming out here to live, taking it for granted that her visitor knewall about their circumstances, and making no apologies or comments; andthe visitor, being what her son called "a good sport," showed no hintthat she had never heard of the Hollisters before, but smiled and saidthe right thing at the right moment. And somehow, neither knew justhow, they got to the subject of Browning and Ibsen, and from there towoman's suffrage, and when Graham returned with Carol and Harley, Dorischattering beside him and the dog bounding in ahead, they were deep infuture politics. Graham sat and listened for a while, interested tonote that the quiet little woman who had spent the last few years ofher life working in a narrow dark city kitchen could talk asthoughtfully and sensibly as his cultured, versatile mother.

  The next trolley brought Shirley and George, and again the mother wasamazed to find how altogether free and easy seemed to be the relationbetween all these young people.

  She gave a keen look at Shirley, and then another at her son, but sawnothing which gave her uneasiness. The girl was unconscious as a rose,and sweet and gracious to the stranger guests as if she had been insociety all her life. She slipped away at once to remove her hat, andwhen she came back her hair was brushed, and she looked as fresh as aflower in her clean white ruffled blouse. The older woman could nottake her eyes from her face. What a charming girl to be set among allthis shabbiness! For by this time her discriminating eyes haddiscovered that everything--literally _every_thing was shabby. Whowere these people, and how did they happen to get put here? The babywas ravishingly beautiful, the girls were charming, and the boys lookedlike splendid, manly fellows. The mother was a product of culture andrefinement. Not one word or action had shown that she knew hersurroundings were shabby. She might have been mistress of a palace foraught she showed of consciousness of the pitiful poverty about her. Itwas as if she were just dropped down for the day in a s
tray barn andmaking a palace out of it while she stayed.

  Unconsciously the woman of the world lingered longer than was her wontin making calls. She liked the atmosphere, and was strangelyinterested by them all.

  "I wish you would come and see me," she said cordially as she rose atlast to go, and she said it as if she meant it,--as if she lived rightaround the corner and not twenty-two miles away,--as if she reallywanted her to come, and not as if this other woman lived in a barn atall.

  "Good old sport!" commented her son in his heart as he listened. Hehad known she must see their worth, and yet he had been strangelyafraid.

  Mrs. Hollister received the invitation with a flush of pleasure.

  "Thank you," she answered graciously, "I'm afraid not. I seldom goanywhere any more. But I've been very glad to have had this call fromyou. It will be a pleasure to think about. Come sometime again whenyou are out this way. Your son has been most kind. I cannot findwords to express my thanks."

  "Has he?" and his mother looked questioningly at her son. "Well, I'mvery glad----"

  "Yes, and Elizabeth! She is a dear sweet girl, and we all love her!"

  Revelations!

  "Oh, has Elizabeth been here too? Well, I'm glad. I hope she has notbeen a nuisance. She's such an impulsive, erratic child. Elizabeth isquite a problem just now. She's out of school on account of her eyes,and her girl friends, most of them, being away at school, she isperfectly forlorn. I am delighted to have her with your children. Iam sure they are charming associates for her." And her eyes restedapprovingly on the sparkling Carol in her simple school dress of brownlinen with its white collar and cuffs. There was nothing countrifiedabout Carol. She looked dainty in the commonest raiment, and shesmiled radiantly at Elizabeth's mother and won her heart.

  "Would you let Elizabeth stay overnight with us here sometime?" sheasked shyly.

  "Why, surely! I presume she would be delighted. She does about as shepleases these days. I really don't see very much of her, I'm so busythis time of year, just at the end of the season, you know, and lots ofcommittee meetings and teas and things."

  They stopped at the doorway to look up into the big tree, in responseto the earnest solicitations of Doris, who pulled at the lady's glovedhand insistently, murmuring sweetly:

  "Budie! Budie! See mine budie in the twee!"

  The Hollisters stood grouped at the doorway when at last the visitorsgot into their car and went away. Mrs. Graham looked back at themwistfully.

  "What a lovely group they make!" she murmured. "Now, Sidney, tell meat once who they are and why they live in a barn, and why you broughtme out here. I know you had some special object. I knew the minute Isaw that charming woman."

  "Mother, you certainly are great! I thought you'd have the good senseto see what they are."

  "Why, I haven't spent a more delightful hour in a long time than Ispent talking with her. She has very original ideas, and she expressesherself well. As for the children, they are lovely. That oldest girlhas a great deal of character in her face. But what are they doing ina barn, Sidney, and how did you come to know them?"

  And so, as they speeded out the smooth turnpike to their lovely homeSidney Graham told his mother as much of the story of Shirley Hollisterand the old barn as he thought she would care to know, and his mothersat thoughtfully watching his handsome, enthusiastic face while hetalked, and wondering.

  One comment she made as they swept up the beautiful drive to theirluxurious country home:

  "Sidney dear, they are delightful and all that, and I'm sure I'm gladto have that little girl come to see Elizabeth, but if I were you Iwouldn't go out there too often when that handsome oldest girl is athome. She's not exactly in your set, you know, charming as she is, andyou wouldn't want to give her any ideas. A gentleman looks out forthings like that, you know."

  "What has being in our set got to do with it, mother dear? Do you knowany girl in our set that is better-looking or has nicer manners, or afiner appreciation of nature and books? You ought to hear her talk!"

  "Yes, but, Sidney, that isn't everything! She isn't exactly----"

  "Mother, were you and father, when you used to have good timestogether? Now, mother, you know you are just talking twaddle when youlet that idea about 'our set' rule your mind. Be a good sport, motherdear, and look the facts in the face. That girl is as good as anyother girl I know, and you know it. She's better than most. Pleaseadmit the facts. Yet you never warned me to be careful about callingon any of the girls in our set. Do please be consistent. However,don't worry about me. I've no idea at present of paying any specialattention to anybody," and he swung the car door and jumped down tohelp her out.