She was a thin little woman, with move-
ments as nervous and as graceless as those of
a grasshopper. Her dun-colored garments
seemed to have all the hue bleached out of
them with wind and weather. Her face was
brown and wrinkled, and her bright eyes
flashed restlessly, deep in their sockets. Two
front teeth were conspicuously missing; and
her faded hair was blown in wisps about
her face. Jim performed the introduction,
and Annie held out her hand. It was a
pretty hand, delicately gloved in dove color.
The woman took it in her own, and after
she had shaken it, held it for a silent mo-
ment, looking at it. Then she almost threw
it from her. The eyes which she lifted
to scan the bright young face above her
had something like agony in them. Annie
blushed under this fierce scrutiny, and the
woman, suddenly conscious of her demeanor,
forced a smile to her lips.

"I'll come out an' see yeh," she said, in
cordial tones. "May be, as a new house-
keeper, you'll like a little advice. You've a
nice place, an' I wish yeh luck."

"Thank you. I'm sure I'll need advice,"
cried Annie, as they drove off. Then she
said to Jim, "Who is that old woman?"