st. The kitchen was a blaze of light. As
for the Sunday chaise being sent, it was well known that
Mrs. Bickford's married brothers and sisters comprehended the truth
that she was a woman of property, and had neither chick nor child.

"So I thought 't was a good opportunity to just stop an' see if the
lot was in good order,--last spring Mr. Wallis's stone hove with the
frost; an' so I could take these flowers." She gave a sigh. "I ain't
one that can bear flowers in a close room,--they bring on a headache;
but I enjoy 'em as much as anybody to look at, only you never know
what to put 'em in. If I could be out in the mornin' sun, as some do,
and keep flowers in the house, I should have me a gardin, certain,"
and she sighed again.

"A garden's a sight o' care, but I don't begrudge none o' the care I
give to mine. I have to scant on flowers so 's to make room for pole
beans," said Miss Pendexter gayly. She had only a tiny strip of land
behind her house, but she always had something to give away, and made
riches out of her narrow poverty. "A few flowers gives me just as much
pleasure as more would," she added. "You get acquainted with things
when you've only got one or two roots. My sweet-williams is just like
folks."

"Mr. Bickford was partial to sweet-williams," said Mrs. Bickford. "I
never knew him to take notice of no other sort of flowers. When we'd
be over to Eliza's, he'd walk down her gardin, an' he'd never make no
comments until he come to them, and then he'd say, 'Those is
sweet-williams.' How many times I've heard him!"

"You ought to have a sprig of 'em for his bo'quet," suggested Miss
Pendexter.

"Yes, I've put a sprig in," said her companion.

At this moment Miss Pendexter took a good look at the bouquets, and
found that they were as nearly alike as careful hands could make them.
Mrs. Bickford was evidently trying to reach absolute impartiality.

"I don't know but you think it's foolish to tie 'em up this
afternoon," she said presently, as she wound the first with a stout
string. "I thought I could put 'em in a bucket o' water out in the
shed, where there's a draught o' air, and then I should have all my
time in the morning. I shall have a good deal to do before I go. I
always sweep the setting-room and front entry Wednesdays. I want to
leave everything nice, goin' away for all day so. So I meant to get
the flowers out o' the way this afternoon. Why, it's most half past
four, ain't it? But I sha'n't pic