I--I really couldn't judge--have any opinion on such a matter."

"No shirking," said Putney. "That's what Mrs. Munger said to me."

"Of course not," gurgled the doctor. "You ladies will know what to do. I'm
sure _I_ shouldn't," he added.

"Well, I must be going," said Putney. "Sorry to leave you in this fix,
Doc." He flashed out of the door, and suddenly came back to offer Annie his
hand. "I beg your pardon, Annie. I'm going to make Ellen bring me round.
Good morning." He bowed cursorily to the rest.

"Wait--I'll go with you, Putney," said the doctor.

Mrs. Munger rose, and Annie with her. "We must go too," she said. "We've
taken up Mr. Gerrish's time most unconscionably," and now Mr. Gerrish did
not urge her to remain.

"Well, good-bye," said Mrs. Gerrish, with a genteel prolongation of the
last syllable.

Mr. Gerrish followed his guests down the store, and even out upon the
sidewalk, where he presided with unheeded hospitality over the superfluous
politeness of Putney and Dr. Morrell in putting Mrs. Munger and Annie into
the phaeton. Mrs. Munger attempted to drive away without having taken up
her hitching weight.

"I suppose that there isn't a post in this town that my wife hasn't tried
to pull up in that way," said Putney gravely.