d been looking out of the window. Her own heart didn't need
softening, but somebody else's did, she was afraid.

"I'm much obliged to you for takin' so much interest in the children,"
said Miss Vilda primly, "and partic'lerly for clearin' our characters,
which everybody that lives in this village has to do for each other
'bout once a week, and the rest o' the time they take for spoilin' of
'em. And the Doctor's wife is very kind, but I shouldn't think o'
sendin' the baby away so sudden while the boy is still here. It
wouldn't be no kindness to Mis' Mayo, for she'd have a regular French
and Indian war right on her premises. It was here the children came,
just as you say, and it's our duty to see 'em settled in good homes, but
I shall take a few days more to think 'bout it, and I'll let her know by
Saturday night what we've decided to do.--That's the most meddlesome,
inteferin', gossipin' woman in this county," she added, as Mrs. Silas
Tarbox closed the front gate, "and I wouldn't have her do another day's
work at this house if I didn't have to. But it's worse for them that
don't have her than for them that does.--Now there's the Baptist
minister drivin' up to the barn. What under the canopy does he want?
Tell him Jabe ain't to home, Samanthy. No, you needn't, for he's
hitched, and seems to be comin' to the front door."

"I never could abide the looks of him," said Samantha, peering over Miss
Vilda's shoulder. "No man with a light chiny blue eye like that oughter
be allowed to go int' the ministry; for you can't love your brother whom
you hev seen with that kind of an eye, and how are you goin' to love the
Lord whom you hev not seen?"

Mr. Southwick, who was a spare little man in a long linen duster that
looked as if it had not been in the water as often as its wearer, sat
down timidly on the settle and cleared his throat.

"I've come to talk with you on a little matter of business, Miss
Cummins. Brother Slocum has--a--conferred with me on the subject of
a--a--couple of unfortunate children who have--a--strayed, as it were,
under your hospitable roof, and whom--a--you are properly anxious to
place--a--under other rooves, as it were. Now you are aware, perhaps,
that Mrs. Southwick and I have no children living, though we have at
times had our quivers full of them--a--as the Scripture says; but the
Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord,
however, that is--a--neither here nor there. Brothe