nearly noon before
So Happy Pete was gathered that day into the bosom of the `` Happy in Spite . '' With a sigh Jinnie allowed Lafe to buckle the shortwood strap to her shoulder . Oh , how many days she had gone through a similar operation with a similar little sigh ! It was a trying ordeal , that of collecting and selling kindling wood , for the men of Paradise Road took the best of the shortwood to be found in the nearer swamp and marsh lands , and oftentimes it was nearly noon before the girl would begin her sale . But the one real happiness of her days lay in dropping the pennies she earned into Peg 's hand . Now Peggy did n't believe in spoiling men or children , but one morning , as she tied a scarf about Jinnie 's neck , she arranged the black curls with more than usual tenderness . Pausing at the door and looking back at the woman , Jinnie suddenly threw up her head in determination .