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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1933-07-13, Page 6PAGE SIX T -IE SEAFORTH NEWS. 44, THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1933. Y M'A!dam listened, almost reverently, The boy ceased sucking the 'sweet, as the bell tolled on, the .only sound inland looked at her, the corners of his the quiet Dale. Outside, a drizzling mouth drooping pitifully. "Ye're no gaein' awe mither?" he asked, his face` all working. "Ye'll no leave' yer wee laddie?" "_Ay, laddie, a'wa'—rest awe'. He's calling me." She tried to smile; but her mother's heart was near to burst- ing. "Ye'dd tak' yer wee Davie wi' ye nvitherl" the child leaded, :crawl'ing up toward her face. IT'he great tears rolled, unrestrained dawn her wan cheeks, and M'Adam, at the head of the bed, was sobbing openly. "Eh, ma bairn, ma bairn, I'm sair to leave yel" she.icried brokenly. "Lift him for me, Adam." 'He placed the child in her arms; but she was too weak to hold him. So he laid him upon his mother's' pil- lows; and illows;and the boy wreathed his soft arms about her neok and sobbed tem- pestuously, ;And the two lay thus together.. (Just before she died, Fiore' turned her head and whispered: "Adani, ma man, ye'il ha' td be mither and father baith to the lad noo"; and she looked at 'him with ten- der conlfidence'in her dying eyes. "I wall 1 afore God as I stan' here II wall I" he 'declared passionately. Then she died, and there was: a look of ineffable peace upon her faoe, "Mither and,father baithl" The little man rose to his feet and flung the photograph from him. Red Wull pounced upon it; bat (''Adam leapt at him as he •mouthed it. "Git awa', ye devil l" •he screamed; and, picking it up, stroked it lovingly with tremibling 'fingers, "Maither and father baithl" How had he ,fulfilled his love's last wish ? How ! Oh God1"—and he fell upon his knees at the table -side, hugging the picture, sobbing and praying. iRed Wull cowered in the far cor- ner of the room, and then crept whining up to where his master knelt. But MIAdana heeded him not, and the great dog slunk away again. There the little man knelt in the gloom of the winter's afternoon, a miserable penitent. His gray-fleokad head was bowed upon his arms; his hands clutched the picture; and he prayed aloud in gasping, halting tones. "Gia me grace, 0 God! 'Father and mither 'baith,' ye said, Flora—acrd I ha'na dome it, But 'tis no too late—sty it's no, lass. Tell me there's time yet, and say ye forgie me. I've tried to bear wi' him mony and mony a time, But 'he's vexed me, and set himself agin me, and stiffened my' back, and ye ken hoo,I was aye quick to tak' offence. But I'MI mak' it up to him- mak' it upto him, and main. 1'11 -hum- ble mascl' afore him, and that'll be bitter enough. And I'll be fa'the'r a'n'd' mither berth to him. But there's bin none to help me; and it's bin sair wi'oot ye, And --lint, eh' lassie I'an we'aryin' yet" main was falling; the snow dribbled down the hill in .muddy tric'klets; and trees and roofs, and windows dripped. And still the bell tolled on, calling up relentlessly sad • memories of the long ago. It was on just such another dreary day, in just such another 'Decemb'er, and not so many years gone by, that the light had gone forever out of 'his life. The whole picture rose as instant to his eyes as if it had been ;but yester- day. That insistent bell brought, back the scene surging to him: the dismal day; the drizzle; the .few mourners; little David decked out in black, his fair 'hair contrasting with his gloomy clothes, his face swollen with weep-' ing; the Dale hushed, it seemed in death, save for the tolling of the bell• and his love 'had left him and gone to the happy land the 'hymen books talk of. IRed'Wull, who had been watching him uneasily, now came up and shov- ed his muzzle into his master's hand. The cold touch brought the little man (back to earth, He shook himself; turned wearily away from the 'window, and went to the door of the house. He stood there looking out; and all around him was the eternal drip, drip of the thaw. The wind lune], and again the minute -bell tolled out clear and inexorable, resolute to recall what was and what had .been, tWith a Choking gasp the little man turned into the house, and ran up; the stairs and into his room. He dropped to his knees beside the great chest in the corner, and unlocked the bot- tom drawer, the key turning noisily in its socket. In the drawer he searohed with fe- verish fingers, and ,produced at length a little paper packet wrapped about with a stained yellow ribbon. It was the ribbon she had used to weave on Sundays into her soft hair. Inside the packet was a cheap, heart shaped frame, and in it a photograph. Up there it was too dank to see. The little man ran down the stairs, Red Wull j'o'stling him as he went, and hurried to the window in the kit- chen. It was a sweet, laughing face that looked up at him from the frame, de- mure yet arch, shy yet roguish—a face to look at and a face to love. As he looked a wintry smile, whol- ly tender, half tearful, stale over the little man's face, "Lassie," he whispered, and his voicewas infinitely soft, "it's fang sin' 'I've daured look at ye. But it's no that ye're forgotten, dearie." Then he covered his eyes with his hand as though he were blinded. "Dinna look at me .sae, lass(" he cried, and fell on • his knees, kissing the picture, hugging it to him and sobbing passionately. Red Wull came up and pushed his ,face compassionately into his mast- er's; but the little man shoved him roughly away, and the dog retreated into a corner, abashed and• reproach- ful, Memories swarmed back on the little man. It was more than a decade now, and yet he dared barely think of that lats evening when she had lain so white and still in the little' 'room above. "Pit the bairn on Inctbed, Adam man," she had said in low tones, 'I'll he gaein' in a wee,wh'ile noo. I't's the clang good -by to you—and him." IHe had done her bidding and lifted 'David up. The tiny boy lay still a mo- 'ment, looking at this whiteefaced mo- ther whom he hardly recognized. ":(Minnie!" he called piteously. Then, thrusting a ,small, dirty hand into his ,packet, he pulled out a grubby sweet. "Minnie, ha' a sweetie—air o' Dav- ie's sweeties!" and he herd itout anx- iously in hiswarm plump paint, think- Mg it a certain cure for any ill. "Eat it for mither," she said, smil- ing tenderly; and 'then: "Davie, ma heart, I'ni .'Ieavin' 'ye." . Alone,in the pew ,behind, David M''Adarn in ,his father's coat, The hack of the church was' packed with farmers from the whole .(larch Mere Estate; friends ,from 'Silverdale. and Gramntoch-town; and nearly ev- ery soli in 'W;astrel-tiale, come to show their synvpathy for "the living and reverence kr the dead. At last the enol carie in the dreari- ness of the .little churchyard, and slowly the mounters departed, until at length -were left only the parson, the Master, and Owd Bob.' The parson was 'speaking in rough,' short accents, digging nervously at the wet ground: The other, tall and gaunt, his face drawn and half— avert-ed, stood 'listening, By his side was Owd Bob, scanning his 'master's countenance, a wistful compassion deep in the lad gray eyes; while close by, one of the parson's terriers was nosing 'inquisitively in the wet g'rass. Of a sudden, James Moore, his face still turned away, stretched out a hand. The parson, broke off abruptly and grasped it. Then the two men strode away in opposite directions, the terrier hoppingonthree legs and shaking the rani off his hard coat. (David's' steps sounded outside. M'- t9'dam rose from his knees. The door of the house oipen•ed, and the boy's. fees shuffled in the passage, "David!" the little man called in a tremulous voice. IHe stood in the half-light, one hand on the table, the other clasping the picture. His eyes were bleared, his thin hair all tossed, and Ile was shak- ing. "'David," he called again; "'I'v'e sodnethin' I whish to say to yet" The boy burst into the room. His face was stained with tears and rain; and the new tblacl: coat was wet .and slimy all down the front, and on the elbows were green -brown, muddy blots. For, on his way hove, he had flung himself down in the Stony Bot- tom 'just as he was, heedless of the wet earth and his father's coat, and, lying on his faee thinking of that sec- ond mother lost to him, had wept his heart 'out in a storm of passionate grief. • New he stood defiantly, his hand upon the door. "What d'ye' want?" The Little man rooked from him to the picture in his hand. "Help' me, Flora --he'll no," he prayed. Then raising his eyes, he be- gan; "I'd like to say-el've bin think- iit'—I think I should tell ye -it's no an easy thing for a man to say—" He broke off short. The se'l'f-impos- ed' task was alinost more than he could accomplish. He looked .appealingly at David. But. there was no glimmer of under- standi'ng in that -white, set coun- tenance, "0 God, it's moist mair than I can dol" the little man muttered; and the perspiration stood uponhis forehead. Again he began: "David, after I saw ye this afternoon steppin' doon the Again he paused. His glance rest- ed unconsciously upon the coat. Da- vid 'mistook the look; mistook the dimness; in his 'fat'her's eyes; mistook the tremor in his voice. '"Here 'tis( tak' yo' coat!" he cried passionately; and, tearing it off, flung it dolwn at his father's feet. "Tek' it —tan d—and—curse yo'. )He banged out of the room and ran upstairs; and, locking himself in, threw himself on to his bed and sob- bed, 'Red Wull made a movement to fly at the retreating figure; then 'turned to his master, his stump -tail vibrating with pleasure. But little WiA'dam was looking, 'at the wet coat mow lying in a wet ibundle at his feet. '"Curse ye," he repeated softly. `'Curse ye -ye heard hint, W'illie? A 'bitter smile crept across his face. He looked again at the picture now dying crushed in his hand. "Ye dannla say I didna.try; ye,canna ask rile to agin," Inc'muttered, and slipped it into his pocket. "Niveragin, Wullie; not if the Queen were to ask Then he went out into the gloom and drizzle, still smiling the same bitter smile. Ali'ter the scene on the evening of the with his thong dealt ih+e' dog n ter- funeral` there could be no ,alternative'rade sword like slash that raised an but' war 'for all time. The little nian angry ridge of red 4roun,blip to s'hon•1 had attempte,d to humble ,himself, and der; and was twenty yards dawn the been rejected; and the bitterness of road before the,little man's shrill defeat, when he had deserved victory, ,curse reached this ear. ,d•golwmed in - a rankled like a' poisoned barb in his hideous 'bellow. H.e stood C[p :and lashed • the ,colt, who} quick on ;'his legs for a , young WI, soon settled to has gallop. But, glancing .over 'h].s sh'oulder, he saw a hounding (florin Iladhind, .catching hint as though he 'were walking, His ',face 'turned sickly white; be 'screame'd;,Ire' flogged; he looked ib'ack Richt 'be +nea+th the tail -board Was the red devil in the dust; 'while racing 'a fur- long ibellthad on the turnpike road twos the mad (figure of IM',Adlam, The ,smith 'struck b'adk and flogged forward. It was of no 'avail. With a tiger -like 'bound the 'Murderous :brute leapt on 'the flying tralp.. At 'the sihiock, of the great body the 'Icolt 'was thrown violently oaf his side; (Kirby was toss-, ed over the 'he'd'ge•,' and !Red' Wull 'Pinned 'beneath the debris, .IM°Aldan had time Ito rush' sup and salve a traigedy. "I've a 'mind to luvi'fe ye, Kirby," he • (panted, as he 'ban'daged the smith's broken head. (After that you May F'be sure the D'alesrnen 'preferred to swallow in- sults rather than to risk 'their li'ves;, and their impotence 'on:ly served to .fan. their hatred to white 'heat. 'The 'working methods Of the antag- onists were as 'contrasted as their, alp-. ipearances. Rn a wood, the 'one cam- pelled where the other "coaxed, His enemies said the Tailless Tyke was rough; niob even 'Ta'm'ma's' den- ied 'Inc was ready. (His 'barn was as big as his 'body, and he 'used them both to some purpose. "As 'quick as a cat, with the 'heart of a lion -and temper of Nick's •self," 'was Pearson ILeggy's 'deccrup�tiotl (What determination, ,could effect, that could 'Red Wall; hut achievement b'y inaction—suipremest olf 'al's strate- A'dant," he said. sternly, "than, an' it gies' �wa's not "Inc 'him. In 'matters of had not bbs for me, D'av'd's'd ha' 'the subtlest, lhan'dling, 'where to act left you years agoneand 'twould 'a'nythin'g exoopt tiudifferonce 'was to no'b'but Ina' served yo' 'right, I'mlose, with sheep restless, fearful fore- thiukin'." bodings 'hymned to them by the The little man was 'beaten on ;his Panic 'hovering unseen above them, awn ground, •so Inct:changed rfronit, when .an ill-considered movement "Diana 'shout so,anon—I 'have .ears spelt catastrop'hethen was 0wd Bob to hear. IFiorbye ye irritate (Wullfe." o' IKenanvir incomparable. The Tailless .Tyke, indeed, had ad -1 - Men 'stil'l tell how, .when the squire""s vented from the [fireplace, and now new :thrashing -machine ran amuck. in stood, huge and 'hideous, in the very i Graanuno'chtawn, and 'Inc some mm- cenre of ,the room, !There ,vias utas the market Square Was a turb'u'1- dis- tant 'thunder in this throat, a tlureatFent 's'ea 'olf :blaspheming nen, yelping upon his (face, a 'challenge in, everyl dogs, and stampeding sheep, only one 'wrinkle. Atvd the 'Gray IDbg stole flock stood calm as a mill -pond by the gladly out 'froh'behind his'mastdr tol'btrll-ring'watching the riot with al - take up 'the gage Of 'ba tee. i•niost complete indifference. And in iStnaighgtway there was silence; 'front, sitting between them and the tongues ,ceased to wag, tankards to istornt, was a quiet gray d'ag, his clink, Every 'malt and every dogwas,mo'uth stretched in a capacious yawn: quietly gathering about 'those two to yawn wa's to twin, and 'he won. centra'! 'figures. 'Not one of them all l When the 'worst of the uproar was but had his score to wipe off against over, many a glance of triumph was the IT'aill•ess Tyke; not one of 'bhenfishot 'first at that one still pack, and but 'was burning 'to join in, the battle' then atlM:'tAdant, as' he 'waded thorough' once begun. And the two gladiators 'the disorder of 'huddling sheep. stood looking past one another, muz-I "Andwheer's your Wullie two ?", zle to muzzle,'each with is tiny'flas'h'asked Tupper, scornfully. of teeth glinting 'between 'hes lips. I 'tWeel," the little man answered 'But the fight Was.,not to Ibe• for the with a quiet •smile, "at this minute twentieth time the Master intervened he's kiliin' your IRasper:'d'oon by the "Bob, lad, codm in!" [he called, and, 'pum'p." 'Which was indeed the case; bending, grasped his 'favorite 'by ,the for big blue IRasper had interfered neck..with the great dog in the perform- IM'Ada'fn laughed 'softly, fiance of 'itis duty, and suffered ac- "Wull'fe, 'Wulllie, to mei" he cnie'd, cordingly. "The look o' you's enough for 'that ., , gentleman." I ISprin'g passed into summer; and the "If they gat fightlin' it'll no be Bob 'excitement as to the event of the ap- here I'll 'hit, ',['warn yo', 'ivllgda'm," iproachi'ng Trials, when at length the •said the Master grimly: rivals would be pitted against;one an - Gin sae miu,ckle as touehed lW ul-' other, reached such a height as odd lie d'ye 'ken wthatt akt do,"'James !Jonas:Maddox, 'the •Octogenarian, Moore?" 'asked the little man very could hardly recall. smo'obhly, I .m'awn in the Sylvester Arm's there Yes — eweeer," the 'other replied, was almost• slightly a con'flic't' between and strode out Of :the 'room .amid a .M'!A'dam and 'Mott -nes, spokesman 'ot 'roar of 'derisive laughter at M'Adam's!the Dalesmen. Many a long-dra'wr expense. 'tout of •words 'had the two 'anent 'the IOwd Bobhad now attained well- respective merits and 'Cup iohanices of nigh theIpenfectio.n of This art '; 'Pars red and:gray. 'In 'these duels Tamtnas Leggydeclared roundly that 'his like 1 was usually • 'worsted, 'His temper had not been 'seen 'sin'ce ;the days of 'wou'ld get the'better.'o1 his discretion; Rex 'sons of 'Rally. Among the Dales-'an:d''the ', cynical debater wound be lost men isa was 'a heroic favorite, his in the'hot-tongued partisan, pnow'ess 'and !gentle :w'a'ys 'winn'ing' During t'hes'e encounters the others Irian 'friends on every hlan'd. But the would, as a rule, maintain a rigid sit - point that told most ;heavily for 'hint ence. Only ,whim their champion waswas that in all thingshe was the very heiuig +beateat, and it was time for antithesisof !Red 'W'il'l.' strength olf voice ito vanquishstrength Barely a man in the country=side of argument, they 'joined in right los_ but awed thatferoc'i'ous animal` a Lily 'and roared the little man down, grudge; not'a 'mien Of them all who for el the 'world Like 'the gentlemendared gay it. !Once ILou•g ''Kirby, 'full who rube 'the Emlpire at Westnrin'is'ter. of beer 'and valor, tried to settle his account. 'Conning . on Lld'Ad'am and (To Be Continued.) Red Wall ass 'he was 'driving • into 1Grammoch-town, 'Ise 'hent over and Send us the•names of your visitors. • It was a dreary little pibcess'ion that wound in the drizzle from Ken- ntmir ' to, the 'litt'le ,Dale Ohunch. At the head stalked James Moore, and close behind David in his meagre coat. While last of all,as if to guide the stragglers in the weary ro'ad, came Owd Bob. There was a full ,congregation ' in the tiny church now. In t'ha squire's pew, were Cyril Galbraith, Muriel Syl- vester, and, most cons'pi'cuous, Lady Eleanour. Her slender figure was simply draped. in gray, with -gray fur about the neck and gray fur edging sleeves and jacket; her veil was lifted, and you could see the soft hal- .;]taut her tem;pdes, like waves breaking on white cliffs, and her eyes' big with tender sympathy as she gl'an_ed tO''- ard the pew upon her right, For .there were the mourners from n Kemu tiir; :the' 'Master, tall, grim ,'and gaunt; and beside him Maggie st'iiv- !rig to he calm, and little Andrew, tlhe miniature of his father, Yet the Beat ,of his indignation was directed' not against David, but against the Master of henn2uir. To the influence and agency of James Mooreheattributed his dis'convfiture, and . bore himself accord''ingly, I'n public or in private, in tap-roomor market, he never wearied of abusing his enean y, "Feel the lass o' 'his wife, d'ye say'!" he would cry. "Ay, as nvu'ckle as I feel the lass o' my hair. James Mobre can feel naethin', I tell ye, ex- cept, a'iblins, a mischance to his mees- eraible dog,,,: JW res the twomet, as they often mast, it was always MlA'diant''s en- deavor to betray his enemy into i an unlwor'•thy lex'pres'seion of feeling. But James Moore, sorely tried as he of- ten was, n'ev'er gave way. He met the little man's sneers with a quelling sil- ence, looking down' on his asp -tongu- ed antagonist With such' a contemptflashing from his blue -'gray eyes as hunt his adversary more than wd'rds. Only once was he spurred into re- ply. Lt was in the tap -room of the ' 1lalesmvan's Daughter on the 'occas- ion Of the big spring fair in Gram - =eh -town, whets there was a goodly gatheu'ing oil farmers and their dogs in the xoom. I'M'Adam was standing at the fire- place with Red Wull at his side. "It's a noble paint ye play,, Tames Moore," he pried, loudly across the ro'o'm,"settin' son against father, and divfdin' hoose against hoose. It's wor- thy o' ye we' yer chundhgoin', and yer psalm-sin'gin', •and yer godliness." The Master looked up from the far end of the rooan. "Happen yore not aware,. IV - PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. H, 'HUGH • ROBS, Physician and Surgeon. Late of London :Hos- pital, London,' England. Special attention to diseases of" the eye, ear, nose and throat:: Office and; resi- dence behind; Dominion Bank. allies - Phone No, 5; Residence Phone 104: DR. F. J: BUIRRiOWS, Seaforth, Office and residence, Goder'ich street, east of the United Church. Coroner for the County of Huron. Telephone, ND. 46. That night, when' it came to dos- ing-tiane at the Sylvester Arms, Jent Burton found a 'little gray-haired fig- ure lying on the floor in the tap -room At the little man's head .lay a great "Yo' • beast!" said the righteous publican, regarding the figure of his best customer with fine scorn. Then catching sight of a photograph in the little man's han'dt "Oh, yo' -re that sent, are yo', foxy?" he leered, "Gia us a look_ at ter," 'and he tried to disengage the picture from the ot'her's grasp. But at the a't'temipt the great dog rase, ;bared lois teeth, and"assum'ed such a diabol- ical expression that the big landlord retreated 'hurriedly behind the bar. "Tiwo,' on ye!"' he shouted viciously, rattling his heels; "be'asts baith!" CIHA1PTIE'R. IX 'M'Adam never forgave his son' A DOLLAR'S WORTH Clip this coupon and mail it with $1 for a'six weeks' trial subscription to THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Published by: THa °Han an Borrnes PueusHaia SOCIETY Boston, Massachusetts, U. B, A. • In It yos w111 find the daily good news of the world from its goo special writers, as well as departments devoted to women's and children's interests, sports, music, finance, edseatton, radio. eta You will be. glad to welcome Into your. home so fearless an advocate of peace and prohibition. And don't miss Snubs. Can Dog. and the Sunial and the. ;other features.- THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE' MoNstog, Back Bay Station, Boston, Mass. Please send me a six weeks' trial subscription. I enclose •one dollar ($1). (Name, please print) (Address) -- (Town) (State) 'DLR. F. J. R..FO'RSTER-Eye, Ear Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medi- eine, edicine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield'e, Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London, England, At 0o'mtm- ercial Hotel, Seaforth, 3rd Monday in, each month, from •,11 a,m, to 3 p.m. DLR, W. C. SPROA'T.—Graduate ot• Faculty of Medicine, University ed' Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons' of Ontario. Office in rear od Aber -hares-' drug store, Seaforth. Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.30 -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment,. Dental DR.. J. A. MUNIN,. Successor to Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North. western University, Chicago, Ill. Li- centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Silh' hardware, Main St., Seaforth, Phoae' 151. '17R. F. J. BIEOH+ELY, graduate Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto, Office over W. R. Smith's grocery, Main St.,, Seaforth. Phones, office 185'W, residence 185J. Auctioneer. 'GEORGE FJLUIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements '.can be rn'ade for Sale Date at 'Phe Seafarthh News. Charges moderate' and satisfaction guranteed. WATSON , AND REIDe8 REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James Watson) MALN ST„ SEAFORTH, O'N'T. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in -First-Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire e lnsurance Co, HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont OFFICERS Geo. R. McCartney, Seaforth - Pres. James Connolly, Goderic'h - Vice -Pres.• Merton A. Reid, Seaforth-'Sec. - Treas. AGENTS: W. E. Hinckley, Seaforth; John Murray, R. R. 3, Seaforth; E. R. G. Jarmou•th, B'rod'hagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine;: Yeo, Hblmes'vilbe. DIRECTORS: William Knox, Londesboro; George Leo,rshardt, Brod'h'agen; James Con- nolly, Goder'icit; Alex. Broad'foot, No. 3, Seaforth; Robert Ferris, Blyth; George McCartney, No. 3, Seaforth; john Pepper, 'Brueefiel'd; James Shol- d'i:ce, Walton; Thomas Moylan, No. 5, Seaforth. Parties desirous to effect .insurance or transact other business, will be prom'p'tly atten'ded' to by applications t'oany of the above named officers ad- dressed to their respective post offices. An Oil for All IiJien,-Tine 'sajlor the soldier, the fis'herm'an; the lumber- man, the ant -door laborer :and all who are exposed to injury and the ele- ments will find in Dr, Th'om'as' Ec- lectric Oil a true and faithful friend. To ease pain, relieve colds, dress wounds, subdue lumbago and over - cone rheumatism, it is excellent. Therefore, it s'houl'd have a ,place in all home medicines and be amongst :hose taken on a journey. "You were one longer on auto tour Than you expected." "Yes, it took an extra week trr fold "y the road ,maps," your