garden lilies what on the third day just closes up its leaves when
you ain't looking and when you go back is gone."

"She isn't so old she can't--can't recuperate when the lovely warm
days come to stay this summer, is she?" asked the singer lady with a
quick sympathy in her voice and eyes.

"No, she ain't so old as to die by old age, but what hurts me,
child, is that it is just her broke heart giving out. She have
always been quiet and gentle-smiling, but since the news of Will's
running off with that money came to Providence she have just been
fading away. A mother's heart don't break clean over a child, but
gets a jagged wound that won't often heal. When I think of her
suffering it puts a hitch in my enjoying of that Tom Mayberry." And
Mother blinked away the suspicion of a tear.

"But Mrs. Bostick and the Deacon both are so fond of Doctor Mayberry
that it must be a joy to have him such a comfort to them," said Miss
Wingate softly, as she carried one of Teether's pink hands to her
lips.

"Yes, child, I know he is all that. Somehow, here in Providence, we
women have all tried to put some of our own sister love for one
another in our young folks. I hold that when the whole world have
learned to cut sister and brother deep enough into they children's
hearts, then His kingdom is a-going to come in about one generation
from them. Now there's a picture that goes on the page with my
remarks! Bettie sure do look pretty with that white sunbonnet on her
head, and count how many Turners, Pratts, Hoovers and Pikes she have
got trailing peacefully behind her, all like full-blood brothers and