as now work for them--and plenty of it.

They had to disappoint Lucas in this matter, too; but Harris Colesworth
laughingly accepted the teacher's later proposal that _he_ attend, and
the two young men drove off together, leaving the girls in the kitchen
and old Mr. Colesworth and Mr. Bray playing cribbage in the dining-room.

It was while 'Phemie was clearing the supper table that her attention was
caught by something that Mr. Colesworth said.

"Who is your neighbor that I see so much up yonder among the rocks, at
the back of this farm, Mr. Bray?" he asked.

"Mr. Pritchett?" suggested Mr. Bray. "Cyrus Pritchett. The long-legged
boy's father. He farms a part of these acres----"

"No. It is not Cyrus Pritchett I mean. And he is no farmer."

"I couldn't tell you," said Mr. Bray.

"A rather peculiar-looking man--long hair, black coat, broad-brimmed hat.
I have frequently come upon him during the last few days. He always walks
off as though in haste. I never have got near enough to speak to him."

"Why," responded Mr. Bray, thoughtfully scanning his hand, and evidently
giving little attention to Mr. Colesworth's mystery, "why, I'm sure I
don't know what would attract anybody up in that part of the farm."

"Saving a man interested in breaking open rocks to see what's in them,"
chuckled Mr. Colesworth. "But this fellow is no geologist."

'Phemie, however, decided that she knew who it was. Silas Trent had
mentioned seeing the man, Spink, up that way; and, on more than one
occasion, 'Phemie was sure the owner of the Diamond Grits breakfast food
had been lurking about Hillcrest.

"Lyddy has never asked Cyrus Pritchett about that evening he and Spink
were up here--two weeks ago this very night. I almost wish she'd do so.
This mystery is getting on my nerves!"

And yet 'Phemie was not at all sure that there was any mystery about it.

Lyddy, on the strength of getting her first boarders, renewed her
advertisement in the Easthampton papers. At once she received half a dozen
inquiries. It was yet too early in the season to expect many people to
wish to come to the country to board; yet Lyddy painstakingly answered
each letter, and in full.

But she really did not see how she would be able to get on over the summer
with the open fire and the brick oven. It would be dreadfully hot in that
kitchen. And she would have been glad to use Mrs. Pritchett's Dutch oven
that Lucas had told her about.

But since the first Sunday n