anyway. There's things
a man can do, and then again there's things he can't. You're uncommon
handy, Andrew, but you're a man."

Andrew's deprecatory gesture implied that he couldn't help it.

"I've thought of that ever so much in the years that I've ben layin'
here, and I've worried about what you're goin' to do when I ain't here
to plan and direct for you. Those moths are jest an instance. Now, what
you goin' to do when you have to think for yourself?"

"I do' know, but you ain't goin' to git up a new worry 'bout that, I
hope?"

"No, it is not a new worry. It's an old one, but it's such a delicate
subject, even between man and wife, that I've hesitated to speak of it.
Andrew, I don't want you to stay single but jest six months--jest six
months to the very day after I'm laid away. I've spoken to Hannah
Brewster to come in and do for you twice a week, same as she does now,
and to mend your socks and underclothes for six months, and then I want
you to--git married."

"Why, Marthy!"

"You needn't gasp like you was struck. I presume to say you'd do it
anyway without thinkin' it over well beforehand. I've allus planned and
thought things over for you till I don't know whether you'd be capable
of attendin' to that or not. And I'd go off a sight easier if I knew
'twas all settled satisfactory. I'd like to know who's goin' to keep my
house and wear my clothes and sun my bed quilts, and I could have her
come and learn my ways beforehand."

"Good gracious, Marthy! There's a limit to plannin'--and directin'--even
for as smart a woman as you be. You're not goin' to know whether
she'll--consent or not, not while--while you're here, yet. And you're
gittin' no worse; it does seem like you're gittin' better all the time.
Last time Aunt Lyddy was here she said you was lookin' better'n she ever
see you before. I told her you'd picked up in your appetite consid'able.
You'll git up yet and be my second wife yourself."

"Yes, Aunt Lyddy allus thinks great things 'bout me; she never would
believe how low I've ben, but I guess I know how I be. No, you can't
head me off that way, with the moths in my best things and one of my
grandmother's silver spoons missin'. If there's one thing a
forethoughtful woman ought to plan beforehand, it's to pick out the
woman who's to have her house and her things and her husband."

Andrew wriggled uncomfortably. "I shouldn't wonder if the dish water was
a-b'ilin', Marthy."

"No, it isn't. You haven