was in a rebellious mood.

She ate her lunch in silence. Not a word was spoken during the drive
to the station. When the train was under way Quincy remarked,
casually, "I invited Mr. Merry to come down next Saturday and stay
over Sunday."

From that moment until they reached Eastborough Centre, Quincy could
not have desired a more talkative or vivacious companion. As they
stepped upon the platform, Mr. Parsons came up.

"They're there, safe and sound. I went up with them myself, so's to
be sure."




CHAPTER VI

"JUST LIKE OLD TIMES"


Alice had a delightful day at Mandy Maxwell's. The twins, Abraham
Mason and Obadiah Strout, sturdy little fellows of the same age as
Ezekiel's boy, were full of fun and frolic. Swiss, Uncle Ike's dog,
had grown old in the past five years, but the antics of the
youngsters overcame at times both age and its accompanying dignity,
or love of repose, and he was often as frisky as in his younger days.

Mrs. Crowley told Alice, in confidence, that she "was most dead" with