to fill the situation thus proposed for her, but Mrs. Byers was not an
ordinary observer, and her auditor was not an ordinary listener.

"She's older than she gives herself out to be," said Mrs. Byers
tentatively, "and them kitten ways don't amount to much."

Mr. Langworthy nodded. Had Mrs. Byers discovered a homicidal tendency in
Mary Ellen he would have been equally unmoved.

"She don't handsome much," continued Mrs. Byers musingly, "but"--

"I never was keen on good looks in a woman, Rosalie. You know that!"
Mrs. Byers received the equivocal remark unemotionally, and returned to
the subject.

"Well!" she said contemplatively, "I should think you could make her
suit."

Mr. Langworthy nodded with resigned toleration of all that might have
influenced her judgment and his own. "I was wantin' a fa'r-minded
opinion, Rosalie, and you happened along jest in time. Kin I put up
anythin' in the way of food for ye?" he added, as a stir outside and the
words "All aboard!" proclaimed the departing of the stage-coach,--"an
orange or a hunk o' gingerbread, freshly baked?"

"Thank ye kindly, Abner, but I sha'n't be usin' anythin' afore supper,"
responded Mrs. Byers, as they passed out into the veranda beside the
waiting coach.

Mr. Langworthy helped her to her seat. "Ef you're passin' this way