aste. But I
alone of all Friendship knew that she was here, "fair body-sick to see
the place again."

I turned back to the highroad, pretending great wrath that I should be
so keen over the doings of any, and that my walk should have been
spoiled because of her. But there are times when wrath is difficult. And
do what I would, there came some singing in my blood, and like a
busybody, I found myself standing still in the road fashioning a plan.

VI

STOCK

It was as if Time and the Hour were my allies, for at once I was aware
of a cutter driven smartly from the village, and I recognized the
Topladys' sorrel. At my signal the cutter drew up beside me, and it held
Timothy Toplady on his way home from the station. I asked him what
o'clock it was, and when he had found a match to light his huge silver
watch--

"Blisterin' Benson!" he said ruefully, "it's ha'-past six, an' me late
with the chores again. I'm hauled an' sawed if it hain't _always_ ha'
past six. They don't seem to be no times in between."

"Mr. Toplady," I said boldly, "let us get up a surprise party on
Calliope Marsh--you and Mrs. Toplady and me."

I had learned that he was loath to oppose a suggestion and that he
always preferred to agree, but I had not hoped for enthusiasm.

"That's the _i_-dea," said Timothy, heartily. "I do admire a surprise.
But what I think is this," he added, "when'll we hev it?"

"To-night," I proposed boldly.

"Whew!" Timothy whistled. "Sudden for General--eh? Suits me--suits me.
Better drive out home with me an' break it to Amanda," he cried.

I smiled as I sat beside him, noting that his enthusiasm was very like
relief. For if any one was present, he well knew that his masterful
Amanda would say nothing of his tardiness. And so it was, for as we
entered the kitchen she entirely overlooked her husband in her amazement
at seeing me.

"Forevermore!" that great Amanda said, turning from her stove of savoury
skillets; "ain't you the stranger? Timothy says only to-day, speakin' o'
you, 'She ain't ben here for a week,' s'e. 'Week!' s'I; 'it's goin' on
_two_.' I'm a great hand to keep track. Throw off your things."

At that I began to feel her influence. Mis' Toplady is so huge and
capable that her mere presence will modify my judgments; and instantly I
fell wondering if I was not, after all, come on a fool's errand. She is
like Athena. For I can think about Athena well enough, but if I were
really to stand before he