As the days passed, there came a curious restlessness to the movements
of both Nathan and his wife. It was on the last night of that week of
waiting that Mrs. Kelsey spoke.

"Nathan," she began, with forced courage, "I've been over to Mis'
Hopkins's--an' asked her what special things 'twas that Katy set such
store by. I thought mebbe if we knew 'em beforehand, an' could do 'em,
an'--"

"That's jest what I asked Jim ter-day, Mary," cut in Nathan excitedly.

"Nathan, you didn't, now! Oh, I'm so glad! An' we'll do 'em, won't we?--
jest ter please her?"

"'Course we will!"

"Ye see it's four years since she was here, Nathan, what with her
teachin' summers."

"Sugar, now! Is it? It hain't seemed so long."

"Nathan," interposed Mrs. Kelsey, anxiously, "I think that 'hain't'
ain't--I mean aren't right. I think you'd orter say, 'It haven't
seemed so long.'"

The man frowned, and made an impatient gesture.

"Yes, yes, I know," soothed his wife; "but,--well, we might jest as well
begin now an' git used to it. Mis' Hopkins said that them two words,