me run on a snake, or a hawk get one of the chickens, or
Paddy Ryan come too close. I only wanted to know if they had gone and
listened, and then I intended to run straight back to Bobby and
Hezekiah; but they stopped under the greening apple tree, and what they
said was so interesting I waited longer than I should, because it's
about the worst thing you can do to listen when older people don't
know. They were talking about me.

"I can't account for her," said father.

"I can!" said Dr. Fenner. "She is the only child I ever have had in my
practice who managed to reach earth as all children should. During the
impressionable stage, no one expected her, so there was no time spent
in worrying, fretting, and discontent. I don't mean that these things
were customary with Ruth. No woman ever accepted motherhood in a more
beautiful spirit; but if she would have protested at any time, it would
have been then. Instead, she lived happily, naturally, and enjoyed
herself as she never had before. She was in the fields, the woods, and
the garden constantly, which accounts for this child's outdoor
tendencies. Then you must remember that both of you were at top notch
intellectually, and physically, fully matured. She had the benefit of
ripened minds, and at a time when every faculty recently had been
stirred by the excitement and suffering of the war. Oh, you can
account for her easily enough, but I don't know what on earth you are
going to do with her. You'll have to go careful, Paul. I warn you she
will not be like the others."

"We realize that. Mother says she doubts if she can ever teach her to
sew and become a housewife."

"She isn't cut out for a seamstress or a housewife, Paul. Tell Ruth
not to try to force those things on her. Turn her loose out of doors;
give her good books, and leave her alone. You won't be disappointed in
the woman who evolves."

Right there I realized what I was doing, and I turned and ran for the
pulpit with all my might. I could always repeat things, but I couldn't
see much sense to the first part of that; the last was as plain as the
nose on your face. Dr. Fenner said they mustn't force me to sew, and
do housework; and mother didn't mind the Almighty any better than she
did the doctor. There was nothing in this world I disliked so much as
being kept indoors, and made to hem cap and apron strings so
particularly that I had to count the number of threads between every
stitch, and