n.

The day was growing very warm; there was dust in the sandy road, but
the fields of grass and young growing crops looked fresh and fair.
There was a light haze over the hills, and birds were thick in the
air. When the stage-horses stopped to walk, you could hear the crows
caw, and the bobolinks singing, in the meadows. All the farmers were
busy in their fields.

"It don't seem but little ways to Baxter, does it?" said Miss Pickett,
after a while. "I felt we should pass a good deal o' time on the road,
but we must be pretty near half-way there a'ready."

"Why, more'n half!" exclaimed Mrs. Flagg. "Yes; there's Beckett's
Corner right ahead, an the old Beckett house. I haven't been on this
part of the road for so long that I feel kind of strange. I used to
visit over here when I was a girl. There's a nephew's widow owns the
place now. Old Miss Susan Beckett willed it to him, an' he died; but
she resides there an' carries on the farm, an unusual smart woman,
everybody says. Ain't it pleasant here, right out among the farms!"

"Mis' Beckett's place, did you observe?" said the stranger, leaning
forward to listen to what her companions said. "I expect that's where
I'm goin' Mis' Ezra Beckett's?"

"That's the one," said Miss Pickett and Mrs. Flagg together, and they
both looked out eagerly as the coach drew up to the front door of a
large old yellow house that stood close upon the green turf of the
roadside.

The passenger looked pleased and eager, and made haste to leave the
stage with her many bundles and bags. While she stood impatiently
tapping at the brass knocker, the stage-driver landed a large trunk,
and dragged it toward the door across the grass. Just then a
busy-looking middle-aged woman made her appearance, with floury hands
and a look as if she were prepared to be somewhat on the defensive.

"Why, how do you do, Mis' Beckett?" exclaimed the guest. "Well, here I
be at last. I didn't know's you thought I was ever comin'. Why, I do
declare, I believe you don't recognize me, Mis' Beckett."

"I believe I don't," said the self-possessed hostess. "Ain't you made
some mistake, ma'am?"

"Why, don't you recollect we was together that time to the state
conference, an' you said you should be pleased to have me come an'
make you a visit some time, an' I said I would certain. There, I
expect I look more natural to you now."

Mrs. Beckett appeared to be making the best possible effort, and gave
a bewildered glance,