ng. Still, my finer sensibilities respond
instantly to your touch, and I will go. I flatter myself that I've never
had to be put out yet, when I've been calling on a girl. Some subtle
suggestion like yours has always been sufficient."

"Don't be cross, dear--let's see how soon you can get to the bottom of
the hill. You can come back at four o'clock."

He laughed and turned back to wave his hand at her. She wafted a kiss
from the tips of her fingers, which seemed momentarily to impede his
progress, but she motioned him away and ran into the house.

Aunt Jane was nowhere to be seen, so she went on into the kitchen to
help Uncle James with the potatoes. He had peeled almost a peck and the
thick parings lay in a heap on the floor. "My goodness'" she exclaimed.
"You'd better throw those out, Uncle, and I'll put the potatoes on to
boil."

He hastened out, with his arms full of peelings. "You're a real kind
woman, Niece Ruth," he said gratefully, when he came in. "You don't
favour your aunt none--I think you're more like me."

Mrs. Ball entered the kitchen with a cloud upon her brow, and in one of
those rare flashes of insight which are vouchsafed to plodding mortals,
a plan of action presented itself to Ruth. "Aunty," she said, before
Mrs. Ball had time to speak, "you know I'm going back to the city
to-morrow, and I'd like to send you and Uncle James a wedding
present--you've been so good to me. What shall it be?"

"Well, now, I don't know," she answered, visibly softening, "but I'll
think it over, and let you know."

"What would you like, Uncle James?"

"You needn't trouble him about it," explained his wife. "He'll like
whatever I do, won't you, James?"

"Yes'm, just as you say."

After dinner, when Ruth broached the subject of furniture, she was
gratified to find that Aunt Jane had no serious objections. "I kinder
hate to part with it, Ruth," she said, "but in a way, as you may say,
it's yours."

"'Tisn't like giving it away, Aunty--it's all in the family, and, as you
say, you're not using it."

"That's so, and then James and me are likely to come and make you a long
visit, so I'll get the good of it, too."

Ruth was momentarily stunned, but rallied enough to express great
pleasure at the prospect. As Aunt Jane began to clear up the dishes,
Mr. Ball looked at his niece, with a certain quiet joy, and then,
unmistakably, winked.

"When you decide about the wedding present, Aunty, let me know, won't
you?" sh