"That it is, Mis' Mayberry, and thank Doctor Tom, too, for giving us
the order," answered Widow Pratt heartily. "When can we begin? I'll
cut 'em all out at home, so as to save time, if you'll give me the
goods. I can cut children's clothes out with my eyes shut and sew
'em with my left hand if needs be."

"Well, if all we hear be true, Bettie Pratt, it's a good thing it
comes easy to you. The sewing for seventeen might be a set-back to
any kind of co'ting, but seeing as you likes it so, why, maybe--"
Mrs. Peavey paused and peered at the blushing widow with goading
curiosity in her keen eyes.

"Well, it hasn't been a bit to me and Mr. Hoover, Mis' Peavey," she
answered with dancing eyes and a lovely rose color mounting her
cheeks. "Looks like all the love we have got for each other's
orphant children have mixed itself up into a wedding cake for the
family. I had laid off to tell you all about it this afternoon, and
here's a box of peppermints Mr. Hoover sent everybody. He said to
make you say sweet things about him to me. Have one, Mis' Peavey,
and pass the box!"

With which a general laugh and buzz of inquiry went around with the
box of sweets provided by the wily widower.

"Well, we think we'll just build a long, covered porch acrost the
fronts of the two houses to connect 'em up," answered Mrs. Pratt to
a friendly inquiry about her future domestic arrangements.

"I know it will look sorter like a broke-in-two steamboat but I can