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loved me and saw no reason why she should not continue to do so. After that, I had a few nervous days, but when I talked it over with Granny, she pointed out that empires could rise and fall before I came of marrying age and had to give the problem serious attention. I was vague on the process of empires, and not exactly sure what they consisted of, but nevertheless I was greatly relieved. It fell into the category of death from overeating, a fate I had been warned about on numerous occasions but which was far enough in the future not to trouble my sleep.
    In the two years since then, Ruth changed considerably. She brought up the subject of matrimony less and less frequently, and finally dropped it entirely. At thirteen, she had been a skinny kid who, if not downright ugly, gave the general impression of two pale blue eyes behind a mass of freckles. She also ran to red elbows, skinned knees, and overlarge, bony hands. Since then, she had filled out very nicely; the elbows shaded down, and the bones were not noticeable. Her red hair, instead of flying wild like a mop upended, was gathered on her neck and highly admired by all sorts of people, and there were times when I found myself looking at her and thinking that she was beautiful. I will admit that my own attitude toward girls had changed, and there began to be occasions when I would say to Ruth:
    â€œWhat I don’t understand is why not, if you’re going to marry me anyway?”
    â€œYou wouldn’t understand because you’re a boy and I’m a girl.”
    â€œMy goodness, would I be pressing for that kind of thing if I was a girl? I should hope not!”
    â€œAnd anyway, Adam Cooper, it’s a long time since I said anything about marrying you.”
    â€œYou haven’t changed your mind?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know, the things you’re always after! I just don’t know.”
    But on this night, she seemed genuinely glad to see me. We got out of the house and walked down the lane toward the pump house. Then we turned toward the little grove of trees where Lyman’s pigpen was, and we passed Mrs. Spencer, who said:
    â€œOut walking, are you, Adam?” The way she said it made it totally sinful.
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œWell!” She could do a lot with one word. I had an opinion of her, but Ruth said she suffered from after-meal dyspepsia and had to walk around in the darkness to get the gas up, and it was a known fact that people with her condition were shorter and meaner than they had to be.
    â€œYes, ma’am, I’m sorry,” I replied to Mrs. Spencer.
    We walked on and Ruth remarked that she saw no reason for my apologizing to Mrs. Spencer.
    â€œI suppose I’m just in the habit,” I said. “I apologize to most anyone these days, and I’m pretty sick and tired of the whole thing, I can tell you that.”
    â€œThere’s no use to get morbid about it, Adam. I don’t really care what you say to Goody Spencer or what she thinks. Have you been having a fight with your father again?”
    â€œStill.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNot again—still. It’s just one long affair. You’d think he’d want an hour here or there to rest himself from telling me what a useless, misbegotten thing I am. But not him. No, sir. It’s like bread and butter to him. He thrives on it.”
    â€œOh, Adam, it’s not as bad as all that,” Ruth said.
    â€œJust tonight, I asked him as pleasant and respectful as possible whether I could go to the Committee meeting with him. Oh, no. When I was a man, I could go, and he made it plain to me what he thought about me being a man. Your pa was there, and believe me, I never was so humiliated in all my life.”
    â€œBut you know about how Pa doesn’t pay any attention to what Cousin Moses says.”
    â€œGideon Perkins is three days younger than I am, and he’s been attending Committee meetings since