North of Boston

Book Excerpt: ...uld say "Elves" to him, But it's not elves exactly, and I'd ratherHe said it for himself. I see him thereBringing a stone grasped firmly by the topIn each hand, like an old-stone savage armed. He moves in darkness as it seems to me, Not of woods only and the shade of trees. He will not go behind his father's saying, And he likes having thought of it so wellHe says again, "Good fences make good neighbours."The Death of the Hired ManMARY sat musing on the lamp-flame at the tableWaiting for Warren. When she heard his step, She ran on tip-toe down the darkened passageTo meet him in the doorway with the newsAnd put him on his guard. "Silas is back."She pushed him outward with her through the doorAnd shut it after her. "Be kind," she said. She took the market things from Warren's armsAnd set them on the porch, then drew him downTo sit beside her o...