Waal, good-day; why don't ye come over ever? When ye want advice, or
anythin', I'm allers there," and the woman ambled swiftly away, having
quite forgotten the lecture she had prepared for the "shiftless, bookish
gal" she was leaving, and only intent on learning what Zeba and Betty
could want with her opposite neighbor.

Molly dropped into a chair, and laughed merrily.

"Didn't I get rid of her slick, though? Say, Sara, what does she make
you think of?"

"Hush, Molly, she's a good soul, and means well."

"So's a cow, but you don't want her trampling all over your garden! I'll
tell you what she's like--an old rabbit in a cap. She keeps her nose
going just the same, and her ears are even longer."

"Molly! Molly!"

"Well, it's so, and you can't deny it. Do you know, Sara, she stopped
Morton and me this morning, when we were going to school, and told him
it was a shame for him to 'set araound, a-livin' on his sister, and he
ought to get a berth in one of the fishing-smacks, and would if he had
any grit to him.' It made Mort as blue as anything, and he's gone down
to Uncle Jabez Wanamead's now, to see about shipping."

"Molly, are you _sure?_" springing up in excitement. "I won't have
it. He's too young, and hasn't had half schooling enough; and, Molly,
are you certain he went there?"