XXVII
"—The stars above
Shine ever on Love—"
"I'm goin up into the clearin', Mis Blossom, to see if there ain't some late blackberries," said Chi, a few days after his triumphal return with Maria-Ann. "Seems as if the smell of the sun on that spruce-bush up yonder would put new life into me—I feel so kind of shif'less."
"I would, Chi," said Mrs. Blossom; "you have n't begun to get your strength back yet, and the more you're out in this air, without overworking, the better it will be for you."
"I'll go with you, Chi," said Rose, looking up from her work, as she sat sewing on the lower step of the porch.
"That's right, Rose-pose; it'll seem like old times." Chi followed her with wistful eyes as she turned to go up stairs.
"I'll be down in a few minutes, Chi; we'd better take the two-quart pails, had n't we?"
"Maybe we'll find enough for one or two messes."
He turned to Mrs. Blossom when Rose had left the room. "Can't there nothin' be done 'bout it, Mis' Blossom?" He spoke almost wistfully.
Mrs. Blossom's eyes filled with tears. She hesitated a moment before she spoke: "I know Rose so well, Chi,
