Janet of the Dunes | Page 9

pillers ought' be a mite
higher. How's that? An' now, if you want t' read a bit I'll fix the brekfus.
I sot some biscuits overnight."
"Give me the Bible, David, an' my money box! There, open t' the same
old chapter. Thank the Lord, that chapter is all on one page! Since He
thought wise to take the usefulness from my members, I'm glad He
made folks print my favorite chapter so there's no need of turnin' over.
Land knows, who'd ever think of waitin' on me!"
"Come now, Susan Jane, I'm always willin', when I ain't on government
duty."
"Government duty or sleep! Men is all alike. How would you feel if
you was stricken like me?"
"Powerful bad, Susan Jane, powerful bad. Ye bear yer lot uncommon
patient, Susan Jane; I'm never overlookin' that. But if ye put yer mind
to it, wife, ye'll see that if I do my duty, I must sleep--some.
Howsomever, Mark Tapkins will have his turn to-night, same as usual;
an' I can set with ye this evenin'. The government is powerful generous,
Susan Jane, t' give this every other night shift."
"Generous, umph! There, David, do get the meal. I guess if you had
laid awake all night, you'd have considerable cravin' in yer stomach fur

victuals. I've a real sinkin'."
"Sho! I must get a double wriggle on, Susan Jane." David stumbled
over a stool on his way to the stove; he was dizzy from sleepiness, and
he, too, had a sensation of sinking.
"Sho! I be gettin' monstrous awkward!" he muttered apologetically; "I
hope I ain't waked Janet!"
"S'pose you had!" snapped his wife; "you think that more important
than my nerves? I don't more'n half like Janet comin' here. If it hadn't
been fur me, I know you'd taken her fur nothin'! No matter if I do have
t' go t' the poorhouse on account of yer shiftlessness. I, stricken an'
helpless! She can come here fur nothin'! I jest know, David, that it
would be a real release fur a great, strong man like you to be rid of a
poor stricken wife; but I guess you'll have to bide the Lord's will
whether you want t' or no!"
At this point David spilled a kettle of water he was bearing from the
pump, outside the door, to the range.
"By gum! Susan Jane," he said cheerily, "I guess no one but you could
put up with a blunderin' old feller like me. Ye better reconsider an' stay
t' see the game out. Two eggs, this mornin', wife, or one?"
"Two, David! You didn't think t' scrimp me, did you? If one egg has got
t' be given, you'd better begin on yourself, or Janet!"
"Come, come, Susan Jane; there is two apiece, an' six fur company!"
"Company! David, have you had the heartlessness t' invite company
here without askin' me?"
"Lord! Susan Jane, can't ye take a joke? I only meant eggs is plenty.
The draught's good this mornin'; that's a sign of clear weather. The
biscuits is riz fit t' kill, Susan, I never had better luck. That comes of
havin' a handy wife t' train ye."

"I'm glad you can see some good in me, David!" Susan Jane was
sniffling. "I think Janet is downright lazy an' triflin'. Lyin' in bed when
a struck woman like me can have ambition enough to be up an' doin'."
"You're one in a hundred, Susan Jane, but then it ain't more'n fair t'
state that Janet's a boarder, 'cordin' t' yer own placin'."
"Oh! that's right. Blame me fur miserliness, an' excuse her fur slackness!
She's perfict: I'm the sinner!"
"Now, Susan Jane!"
"Oh! I can see through a person if he ain't too dazzlin'!" Susan Jane
drank from the cup of coffee that David held to her lips. "I s'pose you'd
like t' take a tray int' her, David?"
"Now, Susan Jane, don't be so amusin'! It's wonderful how ye keep yer
spirits."
"Spirits! David, I s'pose you're speakin' sarcastic. You think my mind
ain't right. You're treatin' me like a child!" The woman turned from the
cup, weeping audibly.
Janet at this point noiselessly arose and made a hurried toilet. Sickness,
physical weakness of any kind, was repulsive to the girl of perfect
health and outdoor nature; but one thing she realized. While she stayed
at the lighthouse she must share David's burden. Her sense of loyalty to
David made this imperative. She must help him how and when she
could; and she must be as silent as he in regard to it.
"Good morning!" she cried presently, going into the living room. "Here,
Cap'n David, take your place at the table. I'll do the rest. You won't
mind, Susan Jane, will you, if I boss a