d by a wide crocheted collar and a light blue satin
bow.

"Where'd you say you were goin' this afternoon, Abby?"

"I said out in the country a piece, Lois; it's such a nice
afternoon."

"Well, _I_ should think Henry'd be needing the horse for his
business. I know _I'd_ never think of asking him for it--and me a
blood relation, too, trying to earn my bread and butter tramping
around the country with Famous People."

Mrs. Daggett, thus convicted of heartless selfishness, sighed
vaguely. Henry's sister always made her feel vastly uncomfortable,
even sinful.

"You know, Lois, we'd be real glad to have you come and live with us
constant," she said heroically.... "Git-ap, Dolly!"

Miss Daggett compressed her thin lips.

"No; I'm too independent for that, Abby, an' you know it. If poor
Henry was to be left a widower, I might consider living in his house
and doing for him; but you know, Abby, there's very few houses big
enough for two women.... And that r'minds me; did you know Miss Orr
has got a hired girl?"

"Has she?" inquired Mrs. Daggett, welcoming the change of subject
with cordial interest. "A hired girl! ...Git-ap, Dolly!"

"Yes," confirmed Miss Daggett. "Lute Parsons was telling me she came
in on th' noon train yesterday. She brought a trunk with her, and her
check was from Boston."

"Well, I want to know!" murmured Mrs. Daggett. "Boston's where _she_
came from, ain't it? It'll be real pleasant for her to have somebody
from Boston right in the house.... G'long, Dolly!"

"I don't know why you should be so sure of that, Abby," sniffed Miss
Daggett. "I should think a person from right here in Brookville would
be more company. How can a hired girl from Boston view the passin'
and tell her who's goin' by? I think it's a ridiculous idea, myself."

"I shouldn't wonder if it's somebody she knows," surmised Mrs.
Daggett. "'Twould be real pleasant for her to have a hired girl
that's mebbe worked for her folks."

"I intend to ask her, if she comes to the door," stated Lois Daggett.
"You can drop me right at the gate; and if you ain't going too far
with your buggy-riding, Abby, you might stop and take me up a spell
later. It's pretty warm to walk far today."

"Well, I was thinkin' mebbe I'd stop in there, too, Lois," said Mrs.
Daggett apologetically. "I ain't been to see Miss Orr for quite a
spell, and--"

The spinster turned and fixed a scornfully, intelligent gaze upon the
mild, rosy countenance of her siste