At such a time, then, June was coming home.
XXI
Hale was beyond Black Mountain when her letter reached him. His
work over there had to be finished and so he kept in his saddle
the greater part of two days and nights and on the third day rode
his big black horse forty miles in little more than half a day
that he might meet her at the train. The last two years had
wrought their change in him. Deterioration is easy in the hills--
superficial deterioration in habits, manners, personal appearance
and the practices of all the little niceties of life. The morning
bath is impossible because of the crowded domestic conditions of a
mountain cabin and, if possible, might if practised, excite wonder
and comment, if not vague suspicion. Sleeping garments are
practically barred for the same reason. Shaving becomes a rare
luxury. A lost tooth-brush may not be replaced for a month. In
time one may bring himself to eat with a knife for the reason that
it is hard for a hungry man to feed himself with a fork that has
but two tines. The finger tips cease to be the culminating
standard of the gentleman. It is hard to keep a supply of fresh
linen when one is constantly in the saddle, and a constant
weariness of body and a ravenous appetite make a man indifferent
to things like a bad bed and worse food, particularly as he must
philosophically put up with them, anyhow.
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