eating."

"Let me see," answered the Deacon thoughtfully, "I think we both had
a portion of milk and toast administered by our young sister, Eliza
Pike. I recall I pleaded for some of the peaches, still in the jar
you gave Mrs. Bostick, but was sternly denied." As he spoke the
Deacon beamed with affectionate pride over having been vanquished by
the stern Eliza.

Just at this moment from around the corner of the Pike home came the
young woman in question, with a pitcher in one hand and a covered
dish in the other. Ez followed her with a plate wrapped in a napkin,
and Billy brought up the rear with a bucket of cool water which he
sloshed over his bare feet with every step.

"Why, Deacon," demanded Eliza sternly, "you ain't gone and et
breakfast with Mother Mayberry, when I told you about Maw making
light rolls before she went to bed 'cause to-day is Wednesday?"

"No, Eliza," answered the Deacon meekly, with a delighted glance at
Mother Mayberry out of the corner of his eye. "Neither Mrs. Bostick
nor I would think of breakfasting without your superintendence. I
was just starting over to tell you that she felt indisposed and
would like to see you and Sister Mayberry, along with the Doctor,
later in the day."

"Well," answered Eliza confidently, "I think I can tend to her if
Mother Mayberry is too busy to come. I was a-going to watch for
Doctor Tom and ask him in anyway. Please come on home, Deacon, 'fore
the rolls get cold and the scrambled eggs set. Ez, hold the plate