by Mary Wingfield Bell
Chapter Eight -
On cold cloudy days the pain in her leg was dreadful. When the
sun came out it didn't hurt so much.
Finally, it was spring once again. There were bits of green
grass coming up through the black soil. Each day the ridge grew
greener and greener with new grass and little tree saplings
appearing. Dogwood Hollow was coming alive. Purple and white
violets bloomed again along with other wild flowers.
Mr. Capley spent hours and hours of every week working on the
present for Delight's birthday. It would surely be finished by
June. Out of the block of wood a shape was taking place - that of
a young girl running free and happy. Grandpa could see in his mind
his granddaughter running about Dogwood Hollow with her hair
blowing in the wind.
In the evenings when Delight was near him, he carved on the
beautiful stallions for the gift shop in Clintsville. The statues
were selling almost as fast as Grandpa could make them. The extra
money was a big help.
Aunt Pleasure wrote that she and her two children would come
June 15th and be there for Delight's birthday.
Easter in Dogwood Hollow was happy for its inhabitants. On
Saturday before Easter day, Delight, Abner and Maggie were
coloring eggs in Grandma's kitchen. On Sunday Delight went with
her grandparents to church. Abner and Maggie went with their
parents to church, and they were glad Mr. and Mrs. Canberry
decided to go.
The sanctuary of the church building was filled with beautiful
white lilies. The music was wonderful and everyone looked
especially nice in their best clothes.
Pastor Blessing spoke of the resurrection and living forever
in Heaven, the city of golden streets and crystal waters.
Delight's thoughts were of her mother and father who she
believed were already living in Heaven. The sermon made her feel
good; Heaven didn't seem so far away.
In the afternoon Abner and Maggie came to the Capley's house
to hide their Easter eggs. Delight sat on the back steps, telling
Abner where to hide the eggs while Maggie waited in the front
yard. When Abner was through hiding eggs, his sister, with her
basket, looked for them. The boy found good hiding places and it
took Maggie quite a while to find all the eggs.
Abner found the eggs Maggie hid, except for one bright green
egg. She had to show him the egg inside the drain pipe.
The children came into the house where Grandpa and Grandma
were sitting by the fire talking about the Easter holidays of long
ago.
Grandma arose from her chair and went to get the cookie jar
down from the shelf. Inside were colorful egg-shaped cookies.
"When did you make these?" asked Delight.
"I made the cookies while you were at school Thursday,"
answered the woman.
"You always have surprises," said Abner.
"Grandma is like that," added his sister.
Bad weather continued after the holiday season. Grandpa took
Delight to school in his car. The crippled girl stayed indoors
most of the time and she looked forward to spring-time when she
could again enjoy the great fresh outdoors.
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