seemed to proceed
from the earth in silvery breathings of meadows and gradual stealings
forth of violet shadows from behind forest trees. The sky was so full
of pure yellow light that even the feathery spring foliage was darkly
outlined against it, and one could see far within it the fanning of
the wings of the twilight birds. The air was cooler. The breaths of
new-turned earth, and rank young plants in marshy places and woodland
ponds were in it, overcoming somewhat those of sun-steeped blossoms,
which had prevailed all day.

The road from Dale to Upham lay through low land, and however dry the
night elsewhere, there was always a damp freshness. The circling
clamor of birds overhead seemed wonderfully near. In the village the
bell had begun to ring for an evening prayer-meeting, and one could
have fancied that the bell hung in one of the neighboring trees. The
clearness of sight seemed to enhance hearing, and possibly also that
imagination which is beyond both senses. Jerome had a vague
impression which he did not express to himself, that he had come to a
door wide open into spaces beyond all needs and desires of the flesh
and the earthly soul, and had a sense of breathing new air. Suddenly,
now that he had gained this clear outlook of spirit, the world, and
all the things thereof, seemed to be at his back, and grown dim, even
to his retrospective thought. The image even of beautiful Lucina,
which had dwelt with him since Sunday, faded, for she was not yet
become of his spirit, and pertained scarcely to his flesh, except
through the simplest and most rudimentary of human instincts. Jerome
glanced at the parcel containing the fine new vest and coat which he
had purchased, and frowned scornfully at this childish vanity, which
would lead him to perk and plume and glitter to the sun, like any
foolish bird which would awake the desire of the eyes in another.

"What a fool I am!" he muttered, and looked at the great open of sky
again, and was half minded to take his purchases back to Dale.

However, when the clear gold of the sky began to pale and a great
star shone out over the west, he rose, took up his parcel, and went
home.

There was a light in the parlor. He thought indifferently that
Paulina Maria Judd or his aunt Belinda might be in there calling on
his mother; but when he went into the kitchen his mother sat there,
and both the other women were with her.

The supper-table was still standing. "Where have you b