ridled Mrs. Buck.

Miss Ann sat, dazed and wondering, while Billy pulled out the luggage
and piled it up by the white picket fence. She did not know where the
old coachman had brought her. She wondered vaguely if it could be the
home of Cousin David's oldest daughter whose married name had escaped
her. Could she have slept a whole day?

Suddenly a red-haired girl in a blue dress came running down the walk
and before Billy could get his mistress unpacked this girl had sprung
into the coach and putting her arms around Miss Ann's neck kissed her
first on one cheek and then on the other.

"Mother and I are real glad to see you and we hope you and Uncle Billy
will stay with us just as long as you are comfortable and happy," said
Judith. "Howdy, Uncle Billy!"

"Howdy, missy!" Great tears were coursing down the old brown face.

"The guest chamber is all ready, except for being sheeted and that
won't take me a minute. Just bring the things right in, Uncle Billy.
Here, I'll help and then Miss Ann can get out."

"Cousin Ann, child! I am your Cousin Ann Peyton." Miss Ann spoke from
the depths of the coach. And then Mrs. Buck, having hastily tied on a
clean apron, came down the walk and was introduced to the visitor,
greeting her with shy hospitality.

"I'm pleased to meet you. Judith and I'll be right glad of your
company."

How long had it been since anybody had said that to Miss Ann? The old
lady flushed with pleasure.

"You are my cousin-in-law, but I don't know your name."

"Prudence--Prudence Knight was my maiden name."

"Ah, then, Cousin Prudence! It is very kind of you and your daughter
to greet me so cordially. I hope Billy and I will not be much trouble
during our short stay with you. Are you certain it is convenient to
have us?"

Now be it noted that in all of the long years of visiting Miss Ann
Peyton had never before asked whether or not her coming was
convenient. Hitherto she had simply come and stayed until it suited
her to move on.

"Indeed it is convenient," cried Judith. "Mother and I are here all
alone and we have loads of room."

When Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Knight broke up housekeeping in New England
they moved every stick of furniture they possessed to their new home.
This furniture had been in the family for generations. There were old
highboys of polished mahogany and chaste design, four-poster beds and
gate-legged tables, a Sheraton sideboard and Chippendale chairs, a
claw-footed secretary with