He always talked things over with me first. She did
not eat up the long red miles as acar would have done, but Jane did not want them
eaten up.
But, though she felt thatsomething had taken her
life and torn it apart, she did not cry. It just occurred to me that I wantedto get
acquainted with my daughter.
Shes got some of the little common sense still left
in theworld, he told the sky.
Jane didnt want to look bright and fresh for
anybody.
Behold a mute inglorious Milton in your
dad.
Allthe houses Ive heard about are up
there.
She had always wanted to belong somewhere and she
belongedhere.
When every turn of thewheels was carrying her
farther away from mother!
Do you know you have nice little bones,
Janekin?
Jane stood up but she could not raise her eyes .
Nobody found fault with Jane for things done or left undone.
Allthe houses Ive heard about are up
there.
She feltthat she had known dad for
years.
Jane enjoyed that dinner, having eaten next to
nothing ever sinceshe left Toronto. Nobody took any notice when Jane fed him bits
ofjohnny-cake. Shes got some of the little common sense still left in theworld, he
told the sky.
The day that wasto be such a marvellous day for
Jane began like any other.
The face was as familiar to her as her own. She had
kissed grandmother andAunt Gertrude good-bye dutifully.
Jane, if you please, she said politely and
distinctly. I heard you moving about and wasafraid you were ill.
Jane was pleased to see that dad did not winkback.
Yourmother did try so hard to learn to make them like mine . You were born beside
it, one sweet, hauntedApril night .
Aunt Irene had certainly prepared a lovely
breakfastfor her.
Shes got a secretive strain in her, Andrew, that I
confess Idont like.
Would he havepouchy eyes like Uncle
David?
Lets go down to the shore and talk it over, said
dad. For somereason Jane couldnt endure that lamp-shade.
The song the sea-wind was singing was music native
to herears.
You dont know what itmeans to me to have you
sleeping under my roof . He shallnot need to buy clothes for her, of that I shall
make sure.
And now Isuppose youre wondering why your father
isnt here. Were neither of us much for talking, it seems, said dad. The next moment
she was lifted in his arms and kissed.
She would not talk about that secret bitternessto
Aunt Irene.
Suppose she were looking at it at this
verymoment!
You were properly baptized before that in the
Anglicanchurch in Charlottetown .