Across the Fruited Plain Part 14

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bringing in the clock]

The children went tiptoeing, hobbling, rus.h.i.+ng through the clean, bare rooms, their voices echoing as they called back their news.

"Gramma, there's a real bathroom!" "Gramma, soon's you feel better you can bake a pie in this gas stove!" "Gramma, here's an e-_lec_-tric refrigerator! And a was.h.i.+ng machine! And a screened porch with a table to eat at!"

Good California smells of eucalyptus trees and, herbs and flowers drifted through open doors and windows, together with the chuckling, scolding, joyous clamor of mocking birds.

"I . . . I wish we didn't have to move on again!" Grandma said.

"It's a pretty good set-up," Grandpa agreed. "Good school over yonder; and a church--and big enough garden for all our garden sa.s.s and to can some." He was ticking off the points on his fingers. "And a chicken-house, and then this here cooperative farm where the folks all work together and share the profits."

Jimmie flung himself down on the floor, sobbing. "I don't want to go on anywhere," he hiccupped. "I want to stay here."

But d.i.c.k was looking from Grandpa to Miss Joyce and then to Daddy who had come, smiling, in at the back door. "You mean. . . ."

The words choked d.i.c.k. "You mean we might settle here? But how?

Who fixed it?"

"The government!" Grandpa said triumphantly. "Mind you, this place is the government's fixing, to give migrants a chance to take root again. It's an experiment they are trying, and we are having the chance to work with them. We can buy this place and pay for it over a long term of years. We've got the Christian Center and the government to thank."

"Why, maybe after a while we could even send for the goods we stored at Mrs. Albi's!" Grandma cried dazedly.

"You mean this is home? Home?" shrieked Rose-Ellen.

"Carrie thinks so," Daddy, said with a smile. "Run along and see if she doesn't. Run along!"

The children rushed past him into the backyard. There stood Carrie, still a moth-eaten-looking white goat. But now she had a new gleam in her amber eyes, and at her feet a tiny, curly kid, as black as coal.

"Maaaaaaa!" Carrie said proudly. From within the brown and white cottage Seth Thomas pealed out twelve chimes--eight extra--as if he, too, were shouting for joy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Carrie and her kid]