"You've put on consid'rable flesh since I saw yer last. Guess you've
been taking your meals reg'lar, which you never did when you lived
with me. But your market's made now, and that makes the difference.
They say folks in love have poor appetites." She laughed loudly, and
stopped only when Olive put a restraining hand on her arm. "I hope
Alice is a good cook, but she never had much chance to learn."

Quincy thought it was time to change the subject. "How's Mr.
Hawkins?"

"I tell him he's just as lazy as ever. He's kalkerlatin' on getting
three good broods of chickens. He's gone on chickens. He wanted to
come tonight, but we've lots of boarders, and they're allus wantin'
ice water or somethin' else, and so I told him he'd got to stay to
home. You'll have plenty of time to see him to-morrer."

Many others greeted the Governor and his right hand felt the effect
of so many hearty grips, some of them of the horny-handed variety.

The Cottonton Brass Band was now stationed in the hall, and a short
concert closed the evening's entertainment, which was allowed, by
all, to be the most high-toned affair ever given in the town.

As Quincy laid his head upon his pillow that night, his mind reverted
to his first arrival at Mason's Corner, and the events that had taken
place since.

"Alice, five years ago, could your wildest imagination have conjured
up such an evening as this?"