"You are? That's because you are yet young. Never be sure a man in
politics is going to do what he says until he does it. When he makes you
a promise, just ask him to kindly put his name to it. I'm like a
darkey--I've more confidence in a piece of paper with some writing on it
than in the spoken word. Men mean well, and they'll promise a woman
heaven or hell to get rid of her, but you can't trust them. How about
Mr. Chinn?"

"Hardest of all. He can't speak correctly, and has never been out of
Yorkburg a week in his life. And yet he says we've got as good streets
as we need, and he doesn't approve of all this education, anyhow."

"Naturally. People are generally opposed to things they know nothing
about. Here, Hedwig, take my hat and bring me some iced tea--and next
time your Fraulein hides in the orchard you can find her and not send
me there."

Blowing somewhat from her walk, Miss Gibbie dropped in a chair in the
hall, unfastened the strings of her broad-brimmed hat and handed it to
Hedwig. Spreading out her ample skirts, she pulled off her white cotton
gloves, opened the bag hanging from her waist, took from it a
handkerchief of finest thread, and with it wiped her face. After a
moment she glanced around. "A house knows when it is occupied. Sleeping
here has given things a different air." She looked at the girl standing
in front of her, hands clasped behind, and the turkey-wing fan stopped
on its backward motion. "You are sure you will not be lonely? Sure you
will not be afraid?"

"Afraid! I'm not just Mary Cary, I'm Martha Cary also. Martha has