I only came to appreciate fully what a self-sacrificing public servant
Mrs. Heney really was when I learned that she had taken the desperate
alternative of marrying "Penny" Daniels.

"So you think we might possibly aspire to the position?" laughed Mrs.
Starkweather.

Upon this I told them of the trouble in our household and asked them to
come down and help us enjoy Dr. McAlway and the goose.

When I left, after much more pleasant talk, they both came with me to
the door seeming greatly improved in spirits.

"You've given us something to live for, Mr. Grayson," said Mrs.
Starkweather.

So I walked homeward in the highest spirits, and an hour or more later
who should we see in the top of our upper field but Mr. Starkweather and
his wife floundering in the snow. They reached the lane literally
covered from top to toe with snow and both of them ruddy with the cold.

"We walked over," said Mrs. Starkweather breathlessly, "and I haven't
had so much fun in years."

Mr. Starkweather helped her over the fence. The Scotch Preacher stood
on the steps to receive them, and we all went in together.

I can't pretend to describe Harriet's dinner: the gorgeous brown goose,
and the apple sauce, and all the other things that best go with it, and
the pumpkin pie at the end--the finest, thickest, most delicious pumpkin