We were talking about it that morning as we got ready for church, taking Aunt Cal as an example of what the past in the shape of tradition and custom could do for one. Aunt Cal had never spoken of her family or forbears but I felt practically certain that her direct ancestral line included a Scotch Covenanter, a Puritan preacher and one of the judges who sentenced the Salem witches to be burned!
Hattie May was at church in ruffled organdy and a floppy hat with Hamish, looking very much like a rebellious little boy in his stiff white collar. I guessed that his sister had him well in hand for the time at least.
As we walked home in the bright midday sun, one on either side of Aunt Cal, I felt as if I were taking part in a scene which had happened over and over again. Perhaps not so long ago, Aunt Cal had walked like this with her mother on Sunday morning.
As we approached Captain Trout's cottage, the Captain himself, dressed immaculately as usual, rounded the corner of the house. "Good morning, ladies!" he swept off his blue visored cap, revealing the shining expanse of his bald head. "A beautiful day!"
We smiled at him but Aunt Cal's only response was a stiff inclination of the head. As she was about to sweep on, however, a light-footed gray form darted from behind the hedge, made a wild spring into the air and landed clinging on the fringe of Aunt Cal's sash.
"That miserable cat!" cried the Captain, darting spryly through the gate. But Eve had the kitten first and was gently detaching her sharp little claws. The Captain's apologies were almost abject.
"Oh, no damage, I think." Aunt Cal, unbending a little, was smiling in spite of herself. "She seems a very lively kitten."
"Madam, I assure you my life is quite dizzy with keeping up with her. After--er--my other one----. But you know how it is--these young things!" He smiled expansively upon Eve and me. "For all their wild ways, they do help to keep us young!"
To this outburst Aunt Cal's only response was a murmured word that she must be getting on. But Eve and I lingered to watch Daisy June who was now half way up a telegraph pole. "Captain Trout," asked Eve unexpectedly, "did you ever happen to know a man by the name of Bangs? Harry Bangs, I think he is--a barber or something?"