dy thawed out like a cranberry bog in April. After
that they talked about housekeepin' and cookin' and such, sociable as
could be. Dorindy's goin' to give her her receipt for doughnuts next
time she comes. And I bet that girl never cooked a doughnut in her life
or ever will. If I could think of the right thing to say, like that,
'twould save me more'n one ear-ache. But I never do think of it till the
next day, and then it's too late."

He borrowed my tobacco, filled his pipe, and continued:

"Say, Ros," he asked, "what's your idea of what made her come here?"

"To see Mother, of course," I answered.

"That's your notion, is it?"

"Certainly. What else?"

"Humph! There's other sick folks in town. Why don't she go to see them?"

"Perhaps she does. I don't know."

"I bet you ten cents she don't. No, I've been reasonin' of it out,
same as I gen'rally do, and I've got some notions of my own. You don't
cal'late her pa sent her so's to sort of soft soap around toward his
gettin' the Shore Lane? You don't cal'late 'twas part of that game, do
you?"

That supposition had crossed my mind more than once. I was ashamed of it
and now I denied it, indignantly.

"Of course not," I answered.

"Well, I don't think so, myself. But if 'tain't that it's another
reason. She may be interested in Comfort; I don't say she ain't; but
that ain't all she's interested in."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. I ain't said nothin'. I'm just waitin' to see, that's all.
I have had some experience in this world, I have. There's different
times comin' for this family, you set that down in your log-book, Ros
Paine."

"Look here, Lute; if you are hinting that Miss Colton or her people
intend offering us charity--"

"Who said anything about charity? No; if she had that idee in her head,
her talk with your ma would drive it out. 'Tain't charity, I ain't
sayin' what 'tis. . . . I wonder how 'twould seem to be rich."

"Lute, you're growing more foolish every day."

"So Dorindy says; but she nor you ain't offered no proof yet. All right,
you wait and see. And say, Ros, don't mention our talk to Dorindy. She's
more'n extry down on me just now, and if I breathe that Mabel Colton's
name she hops right up in the air. How'd I know that askin' if a woman
who's been sick in bed six year or more was 'in' meant could she have
folks come to see her?"

Mother would have discussed the Coltons with me frequently, but
I avoided the subject as much as p