Mutabile Semper

           Shestoodontheothersideofthegardenfence,andregardedmegravelyasIcamedowntheroad.Thenshesaid,“Hi-o!”andIresponded,“Hullo!”andpulledupsomewhatnervously.

           Totellthetruth,theencounterwasnotentirelyunexpectedonmypart.ThepreviousSundayIhadseenherinchurch,andafterserviceithadtranspiredwhoshewas,thisnew-comer,andwhatauntshewasstayingwith.Thatmorningavolunteerhadbeencalledfor,totakeanotetotheParsonage,andrathertomyownsurpriseIhadfoundmyselfsteppingforwardwithalacrity,whiletheothershadbecomesuddenlyabsorbedinvariouspursuits,orhadsneakedunobtrusivelyoutofview.CertainlyIhadnotyetformedanydeliberateplanofaction;yetIsupposeIrecollectedthattheroadtotheParsonageledpastheraunt’sgarden.

           Shebegantheconversation,whileIhoppedbackwardsandforwardsovertheditch,feigningacarelessease.

           “SawyouinchurchonSunday,”shesaid;“onlyyoulookeddifferentthen.Alldressedup,andyourhairquitesmooth,andbrushedupatthesides,andoh,soshiny!Whatdotheyputonittomakeitshinelikethat?Don’tyouhatehavingyourhairbrushed?”sheranon,withoutwaitingforananswer.“Howyourbootssqueakedwhenyoucamedowntheaisle!Whenminesqueak,Iwalkinallthepuddlestilltheystop.ThinkI’llgetoverthefence.”

           Thissheproceededtodoinabusinesslikeway,while,withmyhandsdeepinmypockets,Iregardedhermovementswithsilentinterest,asthoseofsomestrangenewanimal.