I remember how I used to wonder whether I'd
ever be able to wear a suit that wasn't shabby and have my
shoes polished every day. Then my health went back on me.
The doctor told me to get into the open air. By and by I got
this idea of a travelling bookstore. I had always been a
lover of books, and in the days when I boarded out among the
farmers I used to read aloud to them. After my mother died I
built the wagon to suit my own ideas, bought a stock of books
from a big second-hand store in Baltimore, and set out.
Parnassus just about saved my life I guess."
He pushed his faded old cap back on his head and relit his
pipe. I clicked to Pegasus and we rumbled gently off over the
upland, looking down across the pastures. Distant cow bells
sounded tankle-tonk among the bushes. Across the slope of the
hill I could see the road winding away to Redfield. Somewhere
along that road Andrew would be rolling back toward home and
roast pork with apple sauce; and here was I, setting out on
the first madness of my life without even a qualm.
"Miss McGill," said the little man, "this rolling pavilion has
been wife, doctor, and religion to me for seven years. A
month ago I would have scoffed at the thought of leaving her;
but somehow it's come over me I need a change.
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