estigation that followed, the two who were guilty had
to confess or see the candidate for the ministry disgraced forever.

The result of their confession was that Burnett's father, a jovial,
peppery old gentleman--we all know the kind--lost his patience and wrote his
son that he'd better not come home again that year. But Aunt Mary lost her
temper much more completely and the result, as affecting Jack, was awful.

She might not have acted as she did had the disastrous news arrived either
a week later or a week earlier; but it came just in the middle of a
discouraging ten days' downpour, which had caused a dam to break and a
chain of valuable cranberry bogs to be drowned out for that year. The
cranberry bogs were especially dear to their owner's heart.

"Why can't they drain 'em?" she had asked Lucinda, who was particularly
nutcracker-like in appearance since her quarantine episode.

"'Pears like they're lower'n everywhere else," Lucinda answered, her words
sounding as if she had sharpened them on a grindstone.

Aunt Mary bit her lip and frowned at the rain. She felt mad all the way
through, and longed to take it out on someone.

Ten minutes after Joshua arrived with the mail and the mail bore one
ominous letter. Joshua felt something was wrong before the fact was
assured.

"She wants the mail," Lucinda said, coming to the door with her hand out
as usual.

"She'll get the mail," said Joshua, and as he spoke he gave the seeker
after tidings a blood-curdling wink.

"There isn't a telegram in one o' the letters, is there?" Lucinda asked,
much appalled by the wink.

"No, there isn't no telegram in none o' the letters," said Joshua.

"Joshua Whittlesey, I do believe you was born to drive saints mad. What
_is_ the matter?"

"Nothin' ain't the matter as I know of."

"Then what in Kingdom Come did you wink for?"

"I winked," said Joshua meaningly, "cause I expect it'll be a good while
before we'll feel like winkin' again."

Lucinda gave him a look in which curiosity and aggravation fought
catch-as-catch-can. Then she turned and went in with the letters.

Aunt Mary was sitting stonily staring at the rain.

"I thought you'd gone to take a drive with Joshua," she said coldly.
"Well, 's long 's you're back I'll be glad to have my mail. Most folks
like to get their mail as soon as it comes an' I--Mercy on us!"

It was the letter from the authorities enclosed in one from Mr. Stebbins.

Lucinda stood bolt upright