o preach Sundays, and work on the farm the rest of the time.
Well, he is, so you need n't laugh, for we 've made all our plans,"
said Maud with comical dignity as she tried the effect of an old white
bonnet, wondering if farmers' wives could wear ostrich feathers when
they went to meeting.

"Blessed innocence! Don't you wish you were a child, and dared tell what
you want?" murmured Fanny.

"I wish I had seen Will's face when Maud proposed," answered Polly, with
a nod which answered her friend's speech better than her words.

"Any news of anybody?" whispered Fan, affecting to examine a sleeve with
care.

"Still at the South; don't think late events have been reported yet;
that accounts for absence," answered Polly.

"I think Sir Philip was hit harder than was supposed," said Fan.

"I doubt it, but time cures wounds of that sort amazing quick."

"Wish it did!"

"Who is Sir Philip?" demanded Maud, pricking up her ears.

"A famous man who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth," answered Fan,
with a look at Polly.

"Oh!" And Maud seemed satisfied, but the sharp child had her suspicions
nevertheless.

"There will be an immense deal of work in all this fixing over and I
hate to sew," said Fanny, to divert a certain person's thoughts.

"Jenny and I are going to help. We are your debtors, as well as Belle,
and demand the privilege of paying up. Blessings, like curses, come home
to roost, Fan."

"Mine come home a good deal bigger than they went," answered Fanny,
looking pleased that little favors should be so faithfully remembered.

"The interest on that sort of investment rolls up beautifully, you know.
Now rip that dress for Jenny to put in order, and I 'll toss you up a
bonnet in less than no time," said Polly, determined to have things go
smoothly, for she knew Fan's feelings had been a good deal tried lately,
in many ways.

"I must have something to match my dress, and blue inside," said Fanny,
bringing out her ribbon boxes.

"Anything you like, my dear; when it comes to bonnets, I am usually
inspired. I have it! There we are! And nothing could be nicer," cried
Polly, making a dive among the silks Fan was turning over with a lost
expression. "This bit of silver-gray is all I ask, here 's enough for
a killing bonnet, and those forget-me-nots are both pretty and
appropriate."

"You wretch, be still!" cried Fanny, as Polly looked up at her with a
wicked laugh in her eyes.

"It will be done in time, and th