But Mrs. Todd did not stir from her house, although he was confident
she had seen "my lady green-sleeves" from her post at the window.
Puzzled by her apathy, and much disappointed in her temper,
he took off the dress, and, climbing up in front, rode to Moderation,
where he received an urgent invitation to go over to the county fair
at Gorham. The last idea was always the most captivating to Pel,
and he departed serenely for a stay of several days without
so much luggage as a hairbrush. His mother's best clothespin basket,
to say nothing of its contents, appeared at this juncture to be
an unexpected incumbrance; so on the spur of the moment he handed
it up to Jerry just as the stage was starting, saying, "If Mis'
Todd has a brash to-night, you can clear yourself by showing
her this basket, but for massy sakes don't lay it on to me!
You can stan' it better'n I can,--you 're more used to it!"
Jerry took the basket, and when he was well out on the road
he looked inside and saw a bright green calico wrapper, a white
cape bonnet, a white "fall veil," and a pair of white cotton gloves.
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