prevented Mrs. Drew from using up her tough old gander for the
wedding-feast," said Susan stubbornly.

"They say that was her husband's doing," said Miss Cornelia.
"Jacob Drew is a conceited, stingy, domineering creature."

"And they do say he and his wife detest each other--which does
not seem to me the proper way for married folks to get along.
But then, of course, I have had no experience along that line,"
said Susan, tossing her head. "And _I_ am not one to blame
everything on the men. Mrs. Drew is mean enough herself. They
say that the only thing she was ever known to give away was a
crock of butter made out of cream a rat had fell into. She
contributed it to a church social. Nobody found out about the rat
until afterwards."

"Fortunately, all the people the Merediths have offended so far
are Methodists," said Miss Cornelia. "That Jerry went to the
Methodist prayer-meeting one night about a fortnight ago and sat
beside old William Marsh who got up as usual and testified with
fearful groans. 'Do you feel any better now?" whispered Jerry
when William sat down. Poor Jerry meant to be sympathetic, but
Mr. Marsh thought he was impertinent and is furious at him. Of
course, Jerry had no business to be in a Methodist prayer-meeting
at all. But they go where they like."

"I hope they will not offend Mrs. Alec Davis of the Harbour
Head," said Susan. "She is a very touchy woman, I understand,
but she is very well off and pays the most of any one to the
salary. I have heard that she says the Merediths are the worst