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〃Of course it's mine；〃 said Christopher coolly。 〃The meadow brook marks the boundary； and the field is on this side。 I can prove it by Tom or Jacob Weatherby tomorrow。〃
〃Well； he's took it 〃 rejoined Mrs。 Spade flatly。
〃He won't keep it long； I reckon； ma'am；〃 said Tucker； in his pleasant manner； 〃and I must say it seems to me that Bill Fletcher is straining at a gnat。 Why； he has near two thousand acres； hasn't he？ And what under heaven does he want with that old field the sheep have nibbled bare？ There's no sense in it。〃
〃It ain't sense； it's nature；〃 returned Mrs。 Spade； sitting squarely down on the bench from which Christopher had risen； 〃an' that's what I've had ag'in men folks from the startthar's too much natur in 'em。 You kin skeer it out of a woman； an' you kin beat it out of a dog； an' thar're times when you kin even spank it out of a baby； but if you oust it from a man thar ain't nothin' but skin an' bones left behind。 An' natur's a ticklish thing to handle without gloves； bless yo' soul； suh。 It's like a hive of bees： you give it a little poke to start it； an' the first thing you know it's swarmin' all over both yo' hands。 It's a skeery thing； suh； an' Bill Fletcher's got his share of it； sho's you're born。〃
〃It has its way with him pretty thoroughly； I think；〃 responded Tucker； chuckling； 〃but if I were you； Christopher； I'd stick up for my rights in that old field。 Bill Fletcher may need exercise； but there's no reason he should get it by trampling over you。〃
〃Oh； I'll throw his fence down； never fear；〃 answered Christopher indifferently。 〃He knew it； I dare say； when he put it up。〃
〃It's a fuss he wants； suh； an' nothing else；〃 declared Mrs。 Spade； smoothing down the starched fold of her gingham apron； 〃an' if he doesn't git it； po' creetur； he's goin' to be laid up in bed befo' the week is out。 He's bilin' hot inside； I can see that in his face； an' if the steam don't work out one way it will another。 When a man ain't got a wife or child to nag at he's mighty sho' to turn right round an' begin naggin' at his neighbours； an' that's why it's the bounden duty of every decent woman to marry an' save the peace。 Why； if Tom hadn't had me to worry on； I reckon he'd be the biggest blusterer in this county or the next。〃
Leaving her still talking； Christopher went from her into the house； where he lingered an instant with drawn breath before his mother's door。 The old lady was sleeping tranquilly； and； treading softly in his heavy boots； he passed out to the friendly faces of the horses and the cool dusk of the stable。
As the days went on； drawing gradually toward summer； Mrs。 Blake's life began peacefully to flicker out； like a candle that has burned into the socket。 There were hours when her mind was quite clear； and at such times she would talk unceasingly in her old sprightly fashion； with her animated gestures and her arch and fascinating smile。 But following these sanguine periods there would come whole days when she lay unconscious and barely taking breath； while her features grew sharp and wan under the pallid skin。
It was when she had just passed through one of these states that Lila came out on a Sunday afternoon to find Christopher at the woodpile； and told him； with a burst of tears； that she thought the end had come。
〃She's quite herself and wants us all；〃 she said； sobbing。 〃And she's even asked for the house servants； every onefor Phyllis； and Tobias； and so many of them who have been away for years。 It's just as if she knew that she was dying and wanted to say good…by。〃
Throwing the axe hurriedly aside； Christopher followed her into the house； and then entering the old lady's room； stopped short beside the threshold in a grief that was not unmixed with wonder。
The sunshine fell straight through the window on the high white pillows； and among them Mrs。 Blake was sitting rigidly； her blind eyes sparkling with the last fitful return of her intelligence。 She was speaking； as he entered； in a natural and lively tone； which brought back to him his earliest memories of her engaging brightness。
〃Are the servants all there； Cynthia？ Then let them come and stand inside the doora few at a time。〃
〃They are here； mother；〃 replied Cynthia； choking； and Christopher； glancing round； saw several decrepit Negroes leaning against the wallUncle Boaz； Docia （pressing her weak heart）； and blear…eyed Aunt Polly； already in her dotage。
〃I wish to tell you good…by while my mind is clear；〃 pursued the old lady in her high； sweet voice。 〃You have been good servants to me for a long time； and I hope you will live many years to serve my children as faithfully。 Always remember； Christopheris Christopher there？〃
〃I am here； dear mother。〃
〃Always remember that a man's first duty is to his wife and children； and his second to his slaves。 The Lord has placed them in your hands； and you must answer to Him how you fulfill the trust。 And now； Boazwhere is Boaz？〃
〃I'm yer； ole miss； I'm right yer。〃
〃You may shake my hand； Boaz； for it is a long good…by。 I've always promised you your freedom； and I haven't forgotten it； though you asked for it almost fifty years ago。 You did something that I praised you forI can't quite remember what it wasand when I asked you what you would like as a reward； you answered： 'Don't give me nothin' now； ole miss； but let the gift grow and set me free when you come to die。' It is a long time； Boaz； fifty years； but I give you your freedom now； as I promised； though it is very foolish of you to want it； and I'm sure you'll find it nothing but a burden and a trouble。 Christopher； will you remember that Boaz is free？〃
Christopher crossed the room； and； catching her hands in his own； sought to force her back upon the pillows； but with an effort that showed in every tense line of her face she pushed him from her and sat erect and unsupported。
〃Let me dismiss them first；〃 she said with her stately manner。 〃Good…by； Phyllis and Pollyandandall the rest of you。 You may go now。 I am a little tired； and I will lie down。〃
Cynthia put the weeping servants from the room； and； filling a glass with brandy； held it with a shaking hand to her mother's lips。
〃Take this； dear； and lie down；〃 she said。
Mrs。 Blake sipped the brandy obediently； but as she felt her strength revive from the strong spirit the animation reawoke in her face； and； turning toward Christopher； she stretched out her hand with an appealing gesture。
〃There is so much to say and I haven't the space to say it in； my son。 There is so much advice I want to give you； but the time is short。〃
〃I understand； mother； I understand。 Don't let it trouble you。〃
〃I have had a fortunate life； my child；〃 resumed the old lady； waving him to silence with a gesture in which there was still a feeble sprightliness； 〃and when one has lived happily far into the seventies one learns a great deal of wisdom； and there is much good advice that one ought to leave behind。 You have been an affectionate son to me； Christopher； and I have not yet given up the hope that you may live to be a worthy husband to another woman。 If you do marryand God grant that you mayremember that the chief consideration should be family c