But now,
whence came the wonderful beauty of the widespread landscape? He knew
in part, and brushed his old jacket sleeve across his swollen eyes. He
feared that the vision was fated to pass away, "For my character is
gone," said he; "nobody respects me; they call me 'old Pete,' and I am
doomed." But a new feeling now came over him. He was nearing
Snag-Orchard. The old chimneys were seen among the tree-tops, and
strange to himself, (for years had passed since he had cared for his
personal appearance,) he found his right hand tucking up its brother's
dirty wristband, and adroitly turning the torn part of his old hat-rim
to the side opposite Appledale.
"Good-morning, good-morning, Mr. Graffam," was the cheerful greeting
coming to him from a chamber window.
But lo! he has forgotten the torn rim, and now it is flapping most
gracefully, as the hat descends from the head, and is waved toward the
window.
"Stop, if you please," said Emma; and she ran down the stairway, and
along the garden-walk, toward the gate.
"Why, who is Emma flying to see?" asked Martha, as she saw her sister's
white dress flitting past the window.
One of the visitors looked toward the road, and, unable to speak for
laughter, pointed out poor Graffam, who, standing with his crazy hat in
his hand, and his long shaggy hair falling in tangled masses over his
neck and forehead, was now examining his great red hand, to see if it
was clean enough to shake the delicate little hand cordially offered
him.
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