wonder why," said the singer lady with a shade of resentment in her
voice. The little Pikes had established themselves firmly in the
heart of this new friend, and she found herself in an attitude of
critical partisanship.

"I reckon Miss Prissy is what you call a kinder crank," answered
Mother Mayberry as she paused at the foot of the steps. "A married
woman have got to be the hub of a family-wheel, but a old maid can
be the outside crank that turns the whole contraption backwards if
she has a mind to. I wish Miss Prissy had a little more
understanding of the children, 'cause the rub all comes on Mis'
Pike, and she's fair wore out with it. But I must be a-going so as
to be the sooner a-coming. I wisht you would tell Tom Mayberry to go
and let you help him put the hens and little chickens to bed. Feed
'em two quarts of millet seed, and you both know how to do it right
if you have a mind to. I'm going to compliment you by a-trusting you
this once, and don't let me wish I hadn't! I'll be back in the
course of time."

And so it happened that as Doctor Mayberry was in the act of
swinging his microscope over a particularly absorbing new plate, a
very lovely vision framed itself in his office door against the
background of Harpeth Hill, which was composed of the slim singer
girl with the baby nodding over her shoulder. The unexpectedness of
the visit sent the color up under his tan and brought him to his
feet with a delighted smile.

"I don't know how you are going to feel about it, but I bring the
news of an honor which we are to share. Do you suppose, do you, that
we can put the chickens to bed for Mrs. Mayberry? She says we are to