As they walked down the country road he looked at her. He had a way of
noticing women's clothes and had become an observant judge of their
becomingness. In her growing-up days Amanda had been frequently angered
by his frank, unsolicited remarks about the colors she wore--this blue
was off color for her red hair, or that golden brown was just the
thing. Later she grew accustomed to his remarks and rather expected
them. They still disconcerted her at times, but she had long ago ceased
to grow angry about them.
"That green's the color for you to-day," he said, as they went along.
"Do you know, I've often thought I'd like to see you in a black gown
and a string of real jade beads around your neck."
"Jade! Was there ever a red head who didn't wish she had a string of
jade beads?"
"You'd be great!"
"So would the price," she told him, laughing. "A string of real jade
would cost as much as a complete outfit of clothes I wear."
"Then you should have black hair and cheap coral ones would do."
"Why, Martin," she said in surprise, "you _are_ studying color
combinations, aren't you?"
"Oh, not exactly; I'm not interested in all colors. But say, that
reminds me--I saw a girl in Lancaster last winter who had hair like
yours and about the same coloring. She wore a brown suit and brown hat
and furs--it was great."
"I'd like to have that." Daughter of Eve! She liked it because he did!
"But don't speak about furs on a day like this! It's hot--too hot,
Martin, for a houseful of company, don't you think so?"
"It is hot to stand and cook for extra people."
"Well, perhaps it's wicked, but I hate this Sunday visiting the people
of Lancaster County indulge in! I never did like it!"
"I'm not keen about it myself. Sunday seems to me to be a day to go to
church and rest and enjoy your family, sometimes to go off to the woods
like this. But a houseful of buzzing visitors swarming through it--whew!
it does spoil the Sabbath."
"I never did like to visit," confessed the girl. "Not unless I went to
people I really cared for. When we were little and Mother would take
Phil and me to visit relatives or friends I merely liked I'd be there a
little while and then I'd tug at Mother's skirt and beg, 'Mom, we want
to go home.' I suppose I spoiled many a visit for her. I was
self-willed even then."
"You are a stubborn person," he said, with so different a meaning that
Amanda flushed.
"I know I am. And I have a nasty temper, too."
"Don't you know," he consoled her, "that a temper controlled makes a
strong personality? George Washington had one, the history books say,
but he made it serve him."