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He turned his face toward me, but his eyes did not meet mine "There is hay to stack," he said, "I must return to the fields"

"But-"

"Madam, would you have me shirk my duties? If we are to eat this winter, the livestock must be fed"

"And what of your duty to your wife?" I said, and rand at the table; the other fa cold food before returning to their work, and Charles had left the table already I glanced around, and felt rand at o in and out

"Iyour leave, madam," he said; "Good afternoon," and he rose and strode fro loudly

Rage flooded ht back tears and steadied myself, then I stood Hamish stood I curtsied to him and to the women, then turned and went slowly fro that ed our association at all He did not spend more time with me than before; he seemed to prefer work in the fields to ht And now I had no friends to keep me company; I had only Rabbit for my companion

Rabbit helped own, and I lay down for my afternoon rest It was very hot; I lay on the bed in my chemise, the ide, unable to sleep

I had never felt such loneliness

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One day after dinner, as I was going down the path to the cabin, Mary Ellen ca swi," she whispered

"Will you coreen eyes were bright and laughing I felt my spirits lift a little "Yes," I whispered back "But where?"

"Co my hand, and I followed her down the path, past the cabin, and through the wood

At the bottolade where a waterfall tuht ht had a cool green cast, filtered as it was by the leaves of the trees The sound of the splashing water was delightful; I looked around for Rabbit and she was there close behinda word; I fidgeted impatiently as she helped me out of it and when I stood in irls had appeared I felt a thrill of pleasure and excitement at the prospect of the cool water on hed as they helped each other out of their clothes; I was about to dip my foot into the water when Mary Ellen stripped her chemise over her head and dived naked into the pond