The Country of the Pointed Firs

Layout 2 I. THE RETURN. There was something about the coast town of Dunnet which made it seem more attractive than other maritime villages of eastern Maine. Perhaps it was the simple fact of acquaintance with that neighborhood which made it so attaching, and gave such interest to the rocky shore and

Layout 2 II. MRS. TODD. Later, there was only one fault to find with this choice of a summer lodging-place, and that was its complete lack of seclusion.

Layout 2 III. THE SCHOOLHOUSE. For some days after this, Mrs. Todd's customers came and went past my windows, and, haying-time being nearly over, strangers began to arrive from the inland country, such was her widespread reputation.

Layout 2 IV. AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE WINDOW. One day I reached the schoolhouse very late, owing to attendance upon the funeral of an acquaintance and neighbor, with whose sad decline in health I had been familiar, and whose last days both the doctor and Mrs. Todd had tried in vain to ease.

Layout 2 V. CAPTAIN LITTLEPAGE. It was a long time after this; an hour was very long in that coast town where nothing stole away the shortest minute. I had lost myself completely in work, when I heard footsteps outside.

Layout 2 VI. THE WAITING PLACE. "How did you manage with the rest of that rough voyage on the Minerva?" I asked. "I shall be glad to explain to you," said Captain Littlepage, forgetting his grievances for the moment.

Layout 2 VII. THE OUTER ISLAND. Gaffett with his good bunk and the bird-skins, the story of the wreck of the Minerva, the human-shaped creatures of fog and cobweb, the great words of Milton with which he described their onslaught upon the crew, all this moving tale had such an air of truth that I co

Layout 2 VIII. GREEN ISLAND. One morning, very early, I heard Mrs. Todd in the garden outside my window.

Layout 2 IX. WILLIAM. Mrs. Todd had taken the onion out of her basket and laid it down upon the kitchen table.

Layout 2 X. WHERE PENNYROYAL GREW. We were a little late to dinner, but Mrs. Blackett and Mrs.

Layout 2 XI. THE OLD SINGERS. William was sitting on the side door step, and the old mother was busy making her tea; she gave into my hand an old flowered-glass tea-caddy. "William thought you 'd like to see this, when he was settin' the table.

Layout 2 XII. A STRANGE SAIL. Except for a few stray guests, islanders or from the inland country, to whom Mrs. Todd offered the hospitalities of a single meal, we were quite by ourselves all summer; and when there were signs of invasion, late in July, and a certain Mrs.

Layout 2 XIII. POOR JOANNA. One evening my ears caught a mysterious allusion which Mrs. Todd made to Shell-heap Island.

Layout 2 XIV. THE HERMITAGE. My companions and I had been so intent upon the subject of the conversation that we had not heard any one open the gate, but at this moment, above the noise of the rain, we heard a loud knocking. We were all startled as we sat by the fire, and Mrs.

Layout 2 XV. ON SHELL-HEAP ISLAND. Some time after Mrs. Fosdick's visit was over and we had returned to our former quietness, I was out sailing alone with Captain Bowden in his large boat.

Layout 2 XVI. THE GREAT EXPEDITION. Mrs. Todd never by any chance gave warning over night of her great projects and adventures by sea and land.

Layout 2 XVII. A COUNTRY ROAD. Whatever doubts and anxieties I may have had about the inconvenience of the Beggs' high wagon for a person of Mrs. Blackett's age and shortness, they were happily overcome by the aid of a chair and her own valiant spirit.

Layout 2 XVIII. THE BOWDEN REUNION. It is very rare in country life, where high days and holidays are few, that any occasion of general interest proves to be less than great. Such is the hidden fire of enthusiasm in the New England nature that, once given an outlet, it shines forth with almost volca

Layout 2 XIX. THE FEAST'S END. The feast was a noble feast, as has already been said. There was an elegant ingenuity displayed in the form of pies which delighted my heart.

Layout 2 XX. ALONG SHORE. One day as I went along the shore beyond the old wharves and the newer, high-stepped fabric of the steamer landing, I saw that all the boats were beached, and the slack water period of the early afternoon prevailed. Nothing was going on, not even the most leisurely of occup

Layout 2 XXI. THE BACKWARD VIEW. At last it was the time of late summer, when the house was cool and damp in the morning, and all the light seemed to come through green leaves; but at the first step out of doors the sunshine always laid a warm hand on my shoulder, and the clear, high sky seemed to l