nsideration with us all," and he rose from the table.

"Oh, certainly, certainly!" the widow hastened to say, "but then
business is like a cloud, and the meetings and greetings of friends is
a sort of silver lining, you know. What would the world be without
friends--the society of those who take an abiding interest? Believe
me, Mr. Holcroft," she continued, bringing her long, skinny finger
impressively down on the table, "you have lived alone so long that you
are unable to see the crying needs of your own constitution. As a
Christian man, you require human sympathy and--"

Poor Holcroft knew little of centrifugal force; but at that moment he
was a living embodiment of it, feeling that if he did not escape he
would fly into a thousand atoms. Saying nervously, "I've a few chores
to do," he seized his hat, and hastening out, wandered disconsolately
around the barn. "I'm never going to be able to stand her," he groaned.
"I know now why my poor wife shook her head whenever this woman was
mentioned. The clack of her tongue would drive any man living crazy,
and the gimlet eyes of that girl Jane would bore holes through a
saint's patience. Well, well! I'll put a stove up in my room, then
plowing and planting time will soon be here, and I guess I can stand it
at mealtimes for three months, for unless she stops her foolishness she
shan't stay any longer."

Jane had not spoken during the meal, but kept her eyes on Holcroft,
except when he looked toward her, and then she instantly averted her
gaze. When she was alone with her mother, she said abruptly, "We aint
a-goin' to stay here long, nuther."

"Why not?" was the sharp, responsive query.

"'Cause the same look's comin' into his face that was in Cousin
Lemuel's and Cousin Abiram's and all the rest of 'em. 'Fi's you I'd
keep still now. 'Pears to me they all want you to keep still and you
won't."

"Jane," said Mrs. Mumpson in severe tones, "you're an ignorant child.
Don't presume to instruct ME! Besides, this case is entirely
different. Mr. Holcroft must be made to understand from the start that
I'm not a common woman--that I'm his equal, and in most respects his
superior. If he aint made to feel this, it'll never enter his
head--but law! There's things which you can't and oughtn't to
understand."

"But I do," said the girl shortly, "and he won't marry you, nor keep
you, if you talk him to death."

"Jane!" gasped Mrs. Mumpson, as she sank into the chair and r