r visits, but, the week before, they had met
at the county conference, and happened to be sent to the same house
for entertainment, and so had deepened and renewed the pleasures of
acquaintance.

It was an afternoon in early June; the syringa-bushes were tall and
green on each side of the stone doorsteps, and were covered with their
lovely white and golden flowers. Miss Pickett broke off the nearest
twig, and held it before her prim face as she talked. She had a pretty
childlike smile that came and went suddenly, but her face was not one
that bore the marks of many pleasures. Mrs. Flagg was a tall,
commanding sort of person, with an air of satisfaction and authority.

"Oh, yes, gather all you want," she said stiffly, as Miss Pickett took
the syringa without having asked beforehand; but she had an amiable
expression, and just now her large countenance was lighted up by
pleasant anticipation.

"We can tell early what sort of a day it's goin' to be," she said
eagerly. "There ain't a cloud in the sky now. I'll stop for you as I
come along, or if there should be anything unforeseen to detain me,
I'll send you word. I don't expect you'd want to go if it wa'n't so
that I could?"

"Oh my sakes, no!" answered Miss Pickett discreetly, with a timid
flush. "You feel certain that Mis' Timms won't be put out? I shouldn't
feel free to go unless I went 'long o' you."

"Why, nothin' could be plainer than her words," said Mrs. Flagg in a
tone of reproval. "You saw how she urged me, an' had over all that
talk about how we used to see each other often when we both lived to
Longport, and told how she'd been thinkin' of writin', and askin' if
it wa'n't so I should be able to come over and stop three or four days
as soon as settled weather come, because she couldn't make no fire in
her best chamber on account of the chimbley smokin' if the wind wa'n't
just right. You see how she felt toward me, kissin' of me comin' and
goin'? Why, she even asked me who I employed to do over my bonnet,
Miss Pickett, just as interested as if she was a sister; an' she
remarked she should look for us any pleasant day after we all got
home, an' were settled after the conference."

Miss Pickett smiled, but did not speak, as if she expected more
arguments still.

"An' she seemed just about as much gratified to meet with you again.
She seemed to desire to meet you again very particular," continued
Mrs. Flagg. "She really urged us to come together an' have a