Captain Ben's feet quickened themselves at these thoughts, and had
almost overtaken his head, when behold! at a sudden turn in the road
there stood Miss Rachel Doolittle, picking barberries from a wayside
bush. "My sakes! If she ain't right here, like Rachel in the Bible!"
ejaculated Captain Ben, taking heart at the omen.

Miss Doolittle looked up from under her tied-down brown hat in surprise
at such a salutation. But her surprise was increased by Captain Ben's
next remark.

"It just came into my mind," said he, "that you was the right one to
take Lyddy's place. You two used to be such great knit-ups that it will
seem 'most like having Lyddy back again. No," he continued, after a
little reflection, "I don't know of anybody I had rather see sitting in
Lyddy's chair and wearing Lyddy's things than yourself."

"Dear me, Captain Lundy, I couldn't think of it. Paul's folks expect me
to stay with them while the boarder-season lasts, and I've as good as
promised Jacob's wife I'll spend the winter with her."

"Ain't that a hard life you are laying out for yourself? And then bum-by
you will get old or sick ma' be, and who is going to want you around
then? Every woman needs a husband of her own to take care of her."

"I'm able to take care of myself as yet, thanks to goodness! And I am
not afraid my brothers will see me suffer in case of sickness,"
returned Miss Doolittle, her cheeks flaming up like a sumach in October.

"But hadn't you better take a little time to think it over? Ma' be it