"I dunno when I've took such a fancy to anybody at first sight," she
said musingly. "She's what I call a real sweet girl. I'm just going
to love her, I know."

She gazed beseechingly at Mrs. Solomon Black.

"Mebbe you'll think it's just gossipy curiosity; but I _would_ like
to know where that girl come from, and who her folks was, and how she
happened to come to Brookville. I s'pose you know all about her;
don't you?"

Mrs. Solomon Black coughed slightly. She was aware of the distinction
she had already acquired in the eyes of Brookville from the mere fact
of Lydia Orr's presence in her house.

"If I do," she began cautiously, "I don't know as it's for me to
say."

"Don't fer pity's sake think I'm nosey," besought Abby Daggett almost
tearfully. "You know I ain't that kind; but I don't see how folks is
going to help being interested in a sweet pretty girl like Miss Orr,
and her coming so unexpected. And you know there's them that'll
invent things that ain't true, if they don't hear the facts."

"She's from Boston," said Mrs. Solomon Black grudgingly. "You can
tell Lois Daggett that much, if she's getting anxious."

Mrs. Daggett's large face crimsoned. She was one of those soft,
easily hurt persons whose blushes bring tears. She sniffed a little