Mary Elizabeth Counselman, A Death Crown for Mr. Hapworthy
“ He moved quickly, and no eyes in the room, except the pictured eyes over the stove, saw his gesture. A FEW hours later, riding back toward Washington on the bus, Mr. Hapworthy was annoyed with himself. He had not only failed to acquire the object that he coveted most in the world, but he had given way to a maudlin impulse to help some stupid ignorant people he had never seen before and would certainly never see again. ”
Mary Elizabeth Counselman, A Death Crown for Mr. Hapworthy
“ When the body broke down, was his opinion, it simply stopped like a good watch that has ticked its last tick. Sometimes, rather wistfully, he wished that he did believe in a life after death; for it seemed to him that far too many people died before they were half finished living. ”
Mary Elizabeth Counselman, A Death Crown for Mr. Hapworthy
“ It was hanging over the stove."That’s, ah... that’s your father?” he mumbled. "The one who... .?” He floundered, making conversation to bridge the silence. "You resemble him a great deal. And your son, Lute. The same eyes..."The woman’s expression changed abruptly, all reproof gone. She beamed up at the portrait, then back at Mr. Hapworthy."Yessuh. . That’s Paw. He was a circuit rider. Preached all over these mountings, come rain or shine. A better man never lived—though he like to’ve got hisself unchurched, account of his notions. ”
