"The Doctors Mayberry, Mother and Son, how interesting that sounds,
Mrs. Mayberry," exclaimed Miss Wingate with a delightful laugh, "And
no wonder Doctor Mayberry is so gifted that he gets National
commissions to study Pellagra and--and has a troublesome singer lady
sent all the way from New York to patch up."

"Yes, it do look like that Tom Mayberry gets in a good chanct
everywhere he goes. Some folks picks a friend offen every bush they
passes and Tom's one. He was honored considerable in New York and
then sent over to Berlin, Europe, and beyont to study up about
people's skins. And then here he comes back, sent by the Government
right down to Flat Rock, on the other side of Providence Nob, to
study out about that curious corn disease they calls Pellagra, what
I don't think is a thing in the world but itch and can be cured by a
little sulphur and hog lard. But I'm blessing the chanct that
brought him back to me, even if I know it are just for a spell. And,
too, he oughter be happy to have brung his mother such a song bird
as you. I'm so used to you and your helping me with Cindy away to
Springfield, that I don't see how I ever got along without you or
ever will." As she spoke, Mother Mayberry smiled delightedly at the
singer girl and drew her closer. Mother's voice at most times was a
delicious mixture of banter and caress.

"Perhaps I'll stay always," said the singer lady as she drew close
against the gray print shoulder. "When I look around me I feel as if
I had awakened in a beautiful world with no more dirty, smoky cities
that hurt my throat, no more hot, lighted theaters, no noises, and
everything is just a great big bouquet of soft smells and colors."