Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 145: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JOE HOOKER IN THE ARENA. - 137 intruder, while the sights and sounds of cruel war were on every hand. Now all is peace and plenty— the lion and lamb lie down together and the only smoke to be seen comes not from gory battle-fields or burning towns, but from the cabins of the freed blacks or the engine that hauls their produce to market. Virginia, mother of our country, is herself again, and may she never again know the ruin of a civil ‘war. ‘‘Another hour will see us through—are you tried, my little wife ?’’ says Bob, as the day closes, and the sun sinks out of sight. “Oh, no, I was thinking, that’s all.”’ “‘Of what??? ‘CA variety of things connected with our fortunes. You can’t do my thinking for me, Bob, though you are so very kind with everything else. When a girl gets married she has plenty to think about, I assure you. Perhaps it’s my wardrobe I’m thinking about,’? with a light laugh. Bob chooses to believe differently, but he does not say so. He is convinced that this secret, which has not been confided to him by his wife, is the cause of her anxiety. ‘Tf she does not volunteer to tell-me before long I shall feel compelled to ask about it for I can’t see her troubled about anything,’’ 1s what he says to himself, sitting there and watching the various lights and shadows flit over her face. A good start, Bob Pemberton—if you show as GCOmMmIicbooks (C Q) im