e saw last night? If her eyes were
going as bad as that, she must see the optician next time he came
through the village, and be fitted a new pair of glasses; it was
scandalous, after paying him the price she did no more than five years
ago, and him saying they'd last her lifetime. Why, this was a gentleman,
sure enough. It must be the same, and them shadows, looking like rags,
deceived her. Well, anybody living, except Mis' Tree, would have said
his name, if it wasn't but just for neighborliness. Who could it be? Not
that Doctor Strong back again, just when they were well rid of him? No,
this man was taller, and stoop-shouldered. Seemed like she had seen that
back before.

She gazed with passionate yearning till the pair passed out of sight,
the ancient woman leaning on the young man's arm, yet stepping briskly
along, her ebony staff tapping the sidewalk smartly.

Mrs. Weight called over the stairs.

"Isick, be you there?"

"Yep!"

"Why ain't you to school, I'd like to know? Since you be here, jest run
round through Candy's yard and come back along the street, that's a good
boy, and see who that is Mis' Tree's got with her."

"I can't! I got the teethache!" whined Isaac.

"It won't hurt your teethache any. Run now, and I'll make you a
saucer-pie next time I'm baking."

"You allers say that, and then you never!" grumbled Isaac, dragging
reluctant feet toward the door.

"Isick Weight, don't you speak to me like that! I'll tell your pa, if
you don't do as I tell you."

"Well, ain't I goin', quick as I can? I won't go through Candy's yard,
though; that mean Tom Candy's waitin' for me now with a big rock, 'cause
I got him sent home for actin' in school. I'll go and ask the man who he
is. S'pose he knows."

"You won't do nothing of the sort. There! no matter--it's too late now.
You're a real aggravatin', naughty-actin' boy, Isick Weight, and I
believe you've been sent home your own self for cuttin' up--not that I
doubt Tommy Candy was, too. I shall ask your father to whip you good
when he gits home."

* * * * *

"Well, Mary Jaquith, here you sit."

"Mrs. Tree! Is this you? My dear soul, what brings you out so early in
the morning? Come in! come in! Who is with you?"

"I didn't say any one was with me!" snapped Mrs. Tree. "Don't you go to
setting up double-action ears like mine, Mary, because you are not old
enough. How are you? obstinate as ever?"

The blind woman smiled.