IX Good Baskets Must Keep Their Bottoms
It was true that his wits were dull and his hands clumsy, but there was such pleasure in the learning that John did it very rapidly. And whatever had gone before, and whatever was to come after, they were certain that no part of their lives had been happier than this of John’s apprenticeship at eighty to the trade of basket-making.
But his baskets were certainly clumsy as such hands were likely to make them, and had, besides, a way of losing their handles and bottoms at critical moments, which was, at least, unfortunate.
John discovered, after a while, that every purchase was simply so much charity. And, thus far, they had lived proudly—with the wage-earner’s terror of dependence. One day one of his customers told him, brutally, about the insecurity of the baskets—and John decided at once that he must do something else.
“No, John,” said Betsy, “make baskets. But make them for play—not for use. For the school children. Their baskets do not need strong bottoms.”
John wanted to shout.
“I kin—I kin do that! They like me. The children like me.”
So John entered another phase of his strange life. And none that had preceded it had been more beautiful. The house was always full of children. And he could never be seen on the streets of the town without two or more of them clinging to his hands and the skirts of his old uniform coat. If he happened to meet them coming from school, they would flock after him to his door—one or two—very carefully chosen—to sit on either side of the little invalid’s chair and hear stories the most wonderful outside of story-books. But for the sake of old times Betsy would often have them all in—so that the little rooms were jammed with them—and then they might romp about her as they pleased till John saw that she was tired. Then he would put them all out.
These were the best friends they ever had—the children. But as customers for his wares they were soon supplied and John was idle again. And it was winter—and there was nothing to do and John had never asked for charity and, he had often said, never would.
So there came a day when there was nothing in the house for the white little wife to eat. As for John, he could not have told exactly when he had broken his fast. They said nothing about it to each other—both understood. Betsy even tried to lighten John’s grimness by a pitiful little joke. She thought it would show John how brave she was.
“A drink, John, please. There is plenty of water, is there not?”
“Plenty of water—yes, plenty of water!” said John, in a way that made Betsy tremble. For the first time John was terrible.
She sent him out that afternoon to hunt for work. He came back unsuccessful and with a certain wildness in his eyes.
But there was a supper for them. A stew of meat steamed on the table. John brought it and fed Betsy—wondering without question.
“You, too, John, dearest; you, too.”
Well—John was very hungry and he began to eat. Presently he noticed that Betsy was crying softly. It was a long time before she succumbed to his coaxing. But then she confessed:
“She said I ought to go to the poor-house.”
“Who?” shouted John, rising angrily.
“Mrs. Morrell, who brought the meat.”
John flung the bowl and its contents out of the window. Betsy was awed. She had never seen him like that.
“John!” she coaxed softly.
“That’s what Miller told me. God! Said I wasn’t worth nothing to work no more. I’ll show ’em—I’ll show ’em!”
But he didn’t show them—he could not. Age had come at last, and at last he knew this. He earned nothing—and their hunger went on.
And, one evening, Betsy timidly resumed the hated subject.
“I’ve been thinking about it, John, dear, and she meant it very kind. It is warm there, John, and there is plenty of food. John—”
“My God, Betsy, do you want to go—live on charity—do you at last want to leave me—and live on charity—do you want to separate after sixty years—and live on charity?—Oh, my God!”
“No—no—no! John, let us stay together now until—the end,” said Betsy. “Forgive me. Only I’m such a burden to you—and it is so cold—”
John had another period of savage activity. It brought no work. But the agitation shattered him. He went to bed, and when he rose again his spirit was broken.
“John,” said Betsy to him then, with an angelic light on her face, “when you get a little better we—will go.”
John only looked stern.
“I have thought it all over—it is best.”
“I will not go,” said John, quietly. “I am a soldier!”
“Yes, John, dear, but—”
“Betsy,” asked John, solemnly, “do you want to go?”
He never knew what a hero she became before she answered:
“Yes—John—I—I want—to go. I’m so cold—and so hungry—”
“Very—well,” said John. But his hand shook so that he could not put it to his eyes.
“Just till you get right on your feet again, John, darling, just till you’re quite well. I’m such a burden to you now. We’re such a burden to each other. Just till things are better with you. That will be soon, I know it. Then, John, dear John, you shall come for me! Think of that! It will be another home-coming! Another beginning! Another bride and groom!”
John listened avidly. A new and more youthful light flashed into his face.
“Betsy—do you mean that?”
“Mean it? Every word, John, every word!”
He savagely caught her hands.
“You will come back to me?”
“No,” said Betsy, “you shall bring me back!”