"and you know I had done picked out Doctor Tom for you, but since I
saw him dress up so good this morning and go to Bolivar to take the
train to the City and he got the letter from Miss Alford day before
yesterday--that is, Aunt Prissy says Mr. Petway thinks it was from
her--I reckon it won't be fair to get him for you, when she had him
first last summer. Oughtn't you to be fair about taking folk's beaux
just like taking they piece of cake or skipping rope?" Eliza was
fast developing a code of morals that bade fair to be both original
and sound.

"Yes," answered Miss Wingate with the utmost gravity and not a
little perturbation in her voice, "yes, of course. When did Doctor
Mayberry go?"

"This morning before you came down-stairs. He give Mother Mayberry
some drops for Mis' Bostick and told me, too, how to give 'em to
her. Mother Mayberry is down there now and I'm a-going to stay with
her this afternoon. But I tell you what we can do, Miss Elinory,
there is Sam Mosbey--I believe you can get him easy. He picked up a
rose you dropped when you went in the store to get your letters the
other day, and when Mr. Petway laughed he got red even in his ears.
And just this week he have bought a pair of pink suspenders, some
sweet grease for his hair and green striped socks. He'll look lovely
when he gets fixed up and I hope you will notice him some." Eliza
spoke in the most encouraging of tones of the improvement in
appearance of the suitor she was advocating, and was just about to
continue her machinations by further enthusiasm when, from down the
road at the Bosticks, came Mother Mayberry's voice calling her, and
like a little killdee she darted away to the aid of her confrere.