t have
something to say about that; but we talked it all over the night before
he went away, and he spoke of the insurance being out, and he didn't
think it worth while to renew; there never had been a fire, and it
wasn't likely there would be.

* * * * *

Mrs. Carruthers came in to inquire when was a good time to try out soap.
I told her I managed generally to do it when Artemas wasn't at home, as
he was not partial to the smell in the house. But Mr. Carruthers never
does go away, and she doesn't believe he'd notice it. I don't know but
I'd rather have my husband coming and going like Artemas, instead of
sticking around not noticing, especially if he was Mr. Carruthers.

* * * * *

Clara Wylie has been with letters in her hands, and it seems she wrote
to Larkin Prince all about our fire; how our boys dropped matches in the
hay, and the fire spread to the house from the barn, and how we were
waked up, and had to hurry out just as we were. I don't believe she told
how the Wylies took us in that night, and found us these rooms at their
aunt Marshall's till Artemas comes home. But it seems that Artemas has
told Larkin it ain't no kind of consequence, the house burning down,
because he never liked it facing the depot, and he'll be glad to build
again, and has money enough for it, and can satisfy the neighbors if
there's a complaint that our boys burned down all that side of the
street, with being careless with their matches. And there was a note
inclosed to me from Artemas. He says he'd had a kind of depressed time,
when things were going wrong, but matters began to look up when Larkin
Prince came, who had just the information needed. So it's just as well
I didn't write about the fire. I hope Artemas don't talk too large about
his earning so much; anyhow, I shall try to get along spending next to
nothing, and earning what I can making buttonholes.

* * * * *

I've made over my ruby cashmere for Lavinia, and I'm sorry now that
I had it dyed over so dark, the olive is kind of dull for her; but I
can't seem to lay my hand on anything else for her, and she must have
something. Lucky it was lying on the chair, close by the door, so I
brought it off from the fire.

* * * * *

Artemas has come home.

X.

JEDIDIAH'S NOAH'S ARK.

I.

"I don't see how we can ever get them back again," sai