manoeuvers to take in what Miss Wingate proudly declared to be the
completed effect, "everybody will think they have walked into a
flower show. I'm sorry I never thought of inviting in the outdoors
to any of my parties before. I wonder if some of the meek folks,
that our dear Lord told about being invited in from the byways and
hedges, mightn't a-brought some of the hedge blooms along into the
feast with 'em. Thank you, child, the prettiness will feed
everybody's eye, I know, but you'd better run along and get to
whipping on that custard for they stomicks. This here is a Mission
Circle, but it have got a good knife and fork by-law to it. Make a
plenty and if we feel well disposed toward Tom Mayberry, come
bedtime, we may feed him a half dozen."

And in accordance with time-honored custom the stroke of one found
the Providence matrons grouped along the Road and up Mother
Mayberry's front walk, in the act of assembling for the good work in
hand.

"Come in, everybody," exclaimed Mother Mayberry, as she welcomed
them from the front steps. "I'm mighty glad all are on time, for I
have got the best of things to tell, as I have been saving by the
hardest for three days. A woman holding back news is mighty like
root-beer, liable to pop the cork and foam over in spite of all."

"I'm mighty glad to hear something good," said Mrs. Peavey in a
doleful tone. "Looks like the world have got into astonishing
misery. Did you all read in the Bolivar Herald last week about that
explode in a mine in Delyware; a terrible flood in Lottisianny and
the man that killed his wife and six children in Kansas? I don't
know what we're a-coming to. I told Mr. Peavey and Buck this