Becky’s home was modest, but Bill had put in a bathroom upstairs. There was no running to the outhouse. Becky had her own bedroom with a flowered bedspread and a window overlooking a large maple tree from which hung a swing. Near the swing was a bush which harboured a canary nest and a hammock on which to daydream. Bill and Mona gave Becky as much as they could afford to make her life pleasant, but Jolly was her treasure; they would have liked to give her a sibling, but it was not to be.
Bill knew he did the right thing with the standardbred. This action made him feel that the whole family benefited from Jolly, the most handsome horse in the district. He was not a rich man but was proud of his wife and daughter and the life he was giving them. It was a challenge to make Becky happy.
In the winter he hitched Jolly to a sleigh with runners just big enough for the three of them; it was not a sulky but reasonably light to haul. Jolly rebelled but calmed down with Bill’s help. They went to the next farm where Becky could be with her cousins to play Snakes and Ladders, Old Maid and Pick Up Sticks. The children were in one room and the adults in the living room, playing Auction 45. Lobster sandwiches were always a hit! Becky enjoyed these outings and liked visiting this family with her cousins who were in school with her, and likeable.
In the spring, a dear bachelor friend died. Job had been there all her life, although he did not visit their farm often, but Becky loved him, and he left the world without saying goodbye to her. Job was waked in his parlor. There were not many in his house, but Becky climbed the stairs and sat looking down through the rungs to his casket where Job, bearded, lay in beige silk with a checked jacket and shirt. He had always been there for her family when they needed him. He gave Mona a puppy when Becky was born. An aunt told Becky that Job admired her mother. It made sense that Job was not well liked by her father. But Job liked to play with Russ and Becky loved to hear his stories about his travels. When Jolly came, Job gave a gift to Becky. It was a beige and burgundy saddle blanket, which was handsome and soft. Now she looked down at Job and tears welled up in her eyes. Why did he have to die?
For the next few days Becky went often to see Jolly in his stall. She spoke to him, and he turned to look at her and watch her pick up the blanket Job had given her. Job never had a wife to care for him, but Becky cared and remembered his black curly hair, long beard and piercing blue eyes. He told her she was the prettiest girl in the county, and she had blushed. No one had ever said that before.
