yet remain simple and unaffected. "But I do not find the thought
depressing. Far from it. My heart is light when I think of the joys
that await me."

"I didn't know but on your husband's account you'd feel like making an
effort."

Mrs. Richards sighed.

"Poor Nelson! Yes, my heart bleeds when I think of Nelson left in his
loneliness. But it won't be for long. He will soon follow me."

Persis elevated her brows.

"Well, no, Charlotte. Don't deceive yourself about that. Nelson will
feel your going, and for a time he'll take on something terrible. But
he won't die of it. He comes of good long-lived stock, Nelson does,
and though he's no boy, he's likely got twenty-five or thirty years
ahead of him. And that brings me around to what was in my mind when I
came over."

She relapsed into silence, studying a figure in the carpet, and
apparently not quite certain how to continue. "Well?" questioned Mrs.
Richards, and for the first time during the interview there was a
querulous note in her voice.

"It's about Nelson's future. Of course, as far as you're concerned,
there's no reason to worry. There's some folks that are naturally
constituted to enjoy Heaven, and there's others who seem to belong to
this earth. Nelson's one sort and you're another." This time her
pause was protracted.

"Well?" Mrs. Richards prompted feverishly. "Go on."

"I really don't know, Charlotte. Maybe I've been a little mite
impulsive speaking out this way. Perhaps I'd better not say anything
more."

"Anything more? You haven't said anything yet, as far as I can see,"
returned Mrs. Richards tartly. "Don't be mysterious, Persis."

"Well, for some days now, I've been deliberating opening up my mind to
you. They do say that folks that are kind of on the border-line
between the two worlds, can see things plainer than other people. But
I won't say another word unless I get your solemn promise that what I
tell you don't go any further."

"Of course I shall respect your confidence, Persis." Mrs. Richards
swallowed impatiently. "I always tell Nelson everything, but except
for him--"

"But Nelson's the very last one I want to hear this. Never mind,
Charlotte. I see it was a crazy idea, my coming over this afternoon.
I don't know what got into me. We won't talk about it any more. Did
those dahlias grow in your garden, Charlotte? They're the finest I've
seen this year."

"Persis Dale, you certainly can be an aggravat