fresh fried cakes?' and I'd laugh and say, 'Yes; do try 'em,' and
they'd eat three or four. Or if I only had some neighbors--"

Drusilla stopped suddenly.

"Now, why _shouldn't_ I! I've got neighbors that's all been tryin' to
be neighborly to me in their way; why shouldn't I be neighborly in
_my_ way? I can't be neighborly jest leavin' a card, or drinkin' tea
with my gloves on--Yes, I will! Drusilla'll be neighborly in
_Drusilla's_ way."

She was as delighted as a child at the thought. She hurried into the
pantry and returned with some plates and napkins. She piled a few of
her confections upon each plate, carefully covered it with a napkin,
then called William.

"William," she said, "you take that plate o' cookies over to Mis'
Gale's, and tell her that I sent 'em, bein' it was my bakin' day. See
she gets 'em and they don't stop in the kitchen. And take that plate
o' gingerbread to Mis' Cairns; and them fried cakes to Mis' Freeman;
and tell 'em all I sent 'em with my love. Tell 'em I made 'em myself."

William looked at her but did not move.

"What you lookin' at me fer? Take 'em as I said. Put 'em in a basket
if you can't carry 'em, or have one of the girls help you."

"But, ma'am, but--"

"But what? Ain't you never took cookies to one before?"