New sewing-machines
were bought, and the fall of the stream from the lake was
taught to run the treadles. No end of clothing was got
ready for a country which needs none; no end of memoranda
made for the last purchases; no end of lists of books
prepared, which they could read in that land of leisure.
And on the 14th of October, with a passing sigh, they
bade good-by to boats and dogs and cows and horses and
neighbors and beaches--almost to sun and moon, which had
smiled on so much happiness, and went back to Boston to
make the last bargains, to pay the last bills, and to say
the last good-byes.
After one day of bill-paying and house-advertising
and farewelling, they met at Ingham's to "tell their
times." And Julia told of her farewell call on dear Mrs.
Blake.
"The saint!" said she; "she does not see as well as
she did. But it was just lovely there. There was the
great bronze Japanese stork, which seemed so friendly,
and the great vases, and her flowers as fresh as ever,
and her books everywhere. She found something for Tom
and Maud to play with, just as she used to for Ben and
Horace. And we sat and talked of Mexico and Antioch and
everything. I asked her if her eyes troubled her,
and I was delighted because it seems they do not trouble
her at all. She told all about Swampscott and her
grandchildren.
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