Ann Brock."

Mrs. Blackett's eyes were bright with excitement, and even Mrs. Todd
showed remarkable enthusiasm. She hurried the horse and caught up with
the holiday-makers ahead. "There's all the Dep'fords goin', six in the
wagon," she told us joyfully; "an' Mis' Alva Tilley's folks are now
risin' the hill in their new carry-all."

Mrs. Blackett pulled at the neat bow of her black bonnet-strings, and
tied them again with careful precision. "I believe your bonnet's on
a little bit sideways, dear," she advised Mrs. Todd as if she were a
child; but Mrs. Todd was too much occupied to pay proper heed. We began
to feel a new sense of gayety and of taking part in the great occasion
as we joined the little train.

XVIII. The Bowden Reunion

IT IS VERY RARE in country life, where high days and holidays are few,
that any occasion of general interest proves to be less than great. Such
is the hidden fire of enthusiasm in the New England nature that, once
given an outlet, it shines forth with almost volcanic light and heat. In
quiet neighborhoods such inward force does not waste itself upon those
petty excitements of every day that belong to cities, but when, at
long intervals, the altars to patriotism, to friendship, to the ties
of kindred, are reared in our familiar fields, then the fires glow, the
flames come up as if from the inexhaustible burning heart of the earth;
the primal fires break through the granite dust in which our souls are
set. Each heart is warm and every face shines with the ancient light.
Such a day as this has transfiguring powers, and easily makes friends of
those who have been cold-hearted, and gives to those who are dumb their
chance to speak, and lends some beauty to the plainest face.

"Oh, I expect I shall meet friends today that I haven't seen in a long
while," said Mrs. Blackett with deep satisfaction. "'Twill bring out a
good many of the old folks, 'tis such a lovely day. I'm always glad not
to have them disappointed."

"I guess likely the best of 'em'll be there," answered Mrs. Todd with
gentle humor, stealing a glance at me. "There's one thing certain:
there's nothing takes in this whole neighborhood like anything related
to the Bowdens. Yes, I do feel that when you call upon the Bowdens you
may expect most families to rise up between the Landing and the far end
of the Back Cove. Those that aren't kin by blood are kin by marriage."

"There used to be an old story goin' about when I was a