XLIAse stood under the yellowing poplars waiting for the rural mail carrier. He thought of the early days when he must drive to Peytonville on Saturday for mail and newspapers. It had been the most satisfying day of the week, for there were always at least the two weekly papers in his box. Visiting in the post office had been pleasant, too, and the trading of Nellie’s eggs and butter, always more lively when she went with him. The rural free delivery later had been a great convenience, of course. Now so often the carrier passed by, calling out cheerily, “Nothing for Linden today!” and then the disappointment was severe. Since Nellie’s death in the spring, the children wrote him only occasionally.
The carrier was running late. Ase eased himself to the ground and stretched out his long legs
