ality.

"Be you the owner of Shahweetah now?"

"Yes."

"I heerd it was so. And what's become of the old family?"

"They are scattered. Mr. Landholm is gone West, with one of
his sons; the others are in different places."

"And the girl is dead, ain't she?"

"Winnie? -- yes."

Elizabeth knew that!

"The mother was gone first -- to a better place. She had a fine
lot o' children. Will was a pictur; -- the farmer, he was a
fine man too; -- but there was one -- the second boy -- Winthrop,
-- he was the flower of the flock, to my thinkin'. I ha'n't
seen him this great while. He's been here since I lost my
sight, but I thought I could see him when I heerd him speak."

There was silence. Elizabeth did not feel inclined to break
it.

"Do you know him, maybe?" the old woman said presently.
Winthrop _had_ made himself pleasant there! --

"Yes."

"Is he lookin' as well as he used to?"

"Quite as well, I believe."

"Is he gettin' along well?"

"Yes -- I believe so -- very well."

"Whatever he does 'll prosper, _I_ believe," said Mrs.
Underhill; "for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous. Is
that a way you have any knowledge of, young lady?"

"Not much --" said Elizabeth hesitating.

"'Siah says he 'spects you're rich."

"What makes him think so?"

"He says that's what he 'spects. Does the hull Shahweetah farm
belong to you?"

"Yes."

"It's a good farm. Who's goin' to take care of it for you?"

"I don't know, yet."

"I 'spose you'll be gettin' married, one of these days, and
then there'll be some one to do it for you. Be you handsome,
particular, as 'Siah says?"

Elizabeth coloured exceedingly, and a tittering laugh,
somewhat boisterous, ran round the group of spectators and
listeners, with a murmured "Oh Grand'ma! --"

"Whisht!" -- said the old woman; -- "I'm not talkin' like you.
I'm old and blind. I can't see for myself, and I want to know.
She can tell me."

"Father telled ye already," said the eldest girl.

"I can tell better from what _she_ says," said Mrs. Underhill,
turning her face towards her visiter. "What does she say? Be
you uncommon fair and handsome? -- or not more than the
common?"

The red deepened on Elizabeth's cheek and brow, but she
answered, not without some hesitation,

"I believe -- more than the common."

A little glimpse of a smile stole over the old woman's face.

"Handsome, and rich. Well -- Be you happy too, young lady,
above the common?"

"I have lea