Markhamandthebaby，andgavethebabyanapple。Thiswasapleasure。Hehadsuchaheartywayabouthim。Heonhispartsawanordinaryfarmer’swifewithdustydress，unkempthair，andtiredface。Hedidnotknowexactlywheysheappealedtohim，buthetriedtocheerherup。
Thegrocerwasfamiliarwiththesebedraggledandwearywives。
Hewasaccustomedtoseethemsitforhoursinhisbigwoodenchairandnursetiredandfretfulchildren。Theirforlorn，aimless，patheticwanderingupanddownthestreetwasadailyoccurrence，andhadneverpossessedanyspecialmeaningtohim。
II
Inacottagearoundthecornerfromthegrocerystoretwomenandawomanwerefinishingadaintyluncheon。Thewomanwasdressedincool，whitegarments，andsheseemedtomakethedayoneofperfectcomfort。