life. She's havin' a grand time; it acts to me just like a
last visit."

"I'll make some nice pound-cake to-morrow, and we'll ask her next
day," said Maria cheerfully, as they turned into the lane.

Maria Haydon's life had been spent in trying to make other people
comfortable, and so she succeeded, oftener than she knew, in making
them happy. Every day she seemed to forget herself, and to think of
others more; and so, though old Mrs. Chellis missed her friend when
she came to tea the next day but one, she soon forgot the sadness of
the first few minutes, and began to enjoy the kind welcome of
Mr. Haydon and his present companion.

A little later Mr. Haydon was coming back from one of his fields to
look after some men whom he and his son had set to work at ditching.
Most of the talk that afternoon had naturally been connected with his
first wife, but now everything along his path reminded him of Maria.
Her prosperous flock of young turkeys were heading northward at a
little distance out across the high grass land; and below, along the
brook, went the geese and goslings in a sedate procession. The young
pear-trees which she had urged him to set out looked thrifty and
strong as he passed, and there were some lengths of linen bleaching on
a knoll, that she had found yellowing in one of the garret chests. She
took care of everything, and, best of all, she took great care of him.
He had left the good creature devoting herself to their guest as if
she were an old friend instead of a stranger--just for his sake and
his wife's sake. Maria always said "your wife" when she spoke of her
predecessor.

"Marthy always said that Maria Durrant was as kind and capable a woman
as she ever set eyes on, an' poor Marthy was one that knew," said
Mr. Haydon to himself as he went along, and his heart grew very
tender. He was not exactly satisfied with himself, but he could not
have told why. As he came near, the house looked cheerful and
pleasant; the front door was wide open, and the best-room blinds. The
little garden was in full bloom, and there was a sound of friendly
voices. Conversation was flowing on with a deep and steady current.
Somehow the old man felt young again in the midst of his sober
satisfaction and renewed prosperity. He lingered near the door, and
looked back over his fields as if he were facing life with a sense of
great security; but presently his ears caught at something that the
two women were saying in the house.