but he's just like a brother to you."

"Yes, exactly like a brother," Lois said hurriedly, "and I think I should
have known it if it had been--had been that way."

"No," said Miss Deborah, putting down the last glass, "I think not. I
only guessed it myself last night; it is all over now; those things never
last. And very likely he'll meet some nice girl in Lockhaven who will
make him happy; indeed, I shouldn't wonder if we heard he was taken with
somebody at once; hearts are often caught on the rebound! I don't know,"
Miss Deborah added candidly, "how lasting an attachment formed on a
previous disappointment might be; and dear me! he does feel her marriage
very much."

Here Sally came in to take away the pan and mop, and Lois looked about to
see if there was anything more to do. She was very anxious to bring Miss
Deborah's conversation to an end, and grateful that Jean should come and
ask her to take some silver, borrowed for yesterday's festivities, back
to Mrs. Dale.

"It's these spoons," the old woman explained to Miss Deborah. "Mrs. Dale,
she lent us a dozen. I've counted 'em all myself; I wouldn't trust 'em to
that Sally. If there was a hair's difference, Mrs. Dale would know it
'fore she set eyes on them, let alone havin' one of our spoons 'stead of
hers."

Miss Deborah nodded her head. "Very likely, Jean," she said; "I've not a
doubt of it. I'm going now, and Miss Lois will walk along with me. Yes,
Mrs. Dale would see if anything was wrong, you can depend upon it."