iana that would do splendidly for apples. There's no reason why
you should have to pay the freight on apples all the way from Oregon.
Ever tackled apples?"

"Yes; I have an orchard or two," he admitted wonderingly.

If he had spent the night guessing what subject she would choose for a
morning confab, apple culture would not have been on the list. He had
thought that perhaps the day would bring a torrent of questions about
old friends, but she seemed more aloof than ever. The pearl in his
scarfpin was a splendid specimen; he roughly calculated that it
represented an expenditure of at least a hundred dollars; and she had
flung it at him as carelessly as though she were tossing cherries from a
tree.

"Can I do anything for you about the trunks? You can have Jerry as long
as you like."

"Oh, I shan't work on that job all day. It's too much bother. I'll dig
the stuff out gradually. I'll have to throw most of it away anyhow. I've
got everything I own in that pile. I suppose I'd better get
dressed--What did you say about the morning gathering,--is it a
ceremonial affair?"

"Well, the girls have liked to do it that way,--all come in a bunch
after their home doings."

"That's very nice, really picturesque! I suppose they're all a lot of
comfort to you, living alone this way. Do they dine here to-day? How
about Tom and Phil?"

It was clear from her tone that the identity of his guests was a
negligible matter. She mentioned her former husband without emotion,
and her tone implied no particular interest in the answer.

"We were all of us to dine with Josie to-day; we sort o' move around,
and it's her turn; but if you'd rather stay here we'll have dinner
together or any way you like. Tom never mixes up in the dinner parties.
But Phil will be here after a while; say about eleven. You'd better be
ready."

"Certainly; I'll get into some other clothes right away." She stood,
lifted her arms, and stretched herself lazily. "It's nice to see you
looking so well; but Sarah confided to me when she brought up my
breakfast that you eat altogether too much. Sarah's very nice; I like
Sarah. And I can see that Jerry dotes on you. You're pampered, Amzi; I
can see that you don't resist the temptation to stuff yourself with
Sarah's cooking. I'd be a roly-poly myself if I didn't cut off starch
and sweets now and then."

There was a sound of steps at the front door, followed by a prolonged
tinkle of the doorbell. Amzi glanced up to make