of the "whiskers," she clapped her chin to her shoulder and
shrank from the excruciating touch. Before long Mr. Hicks had occasion
to turn his head to the other side. This time it tickled even more and
Susan had to giggle. After that a surprising number of things, of all
imaginable sorts, demanded his attention on one side or the other, and
every time the moustache acted in the same manner, much to the surprise
of the innocent Mr. Hicks. As soon as that beard developed its full
powers of tickling, it took effect wherever it touched, and Susan had
to protect herself by grabbing the moustache and pushing Mr. Hicks's
face, which face seemed able to stand any amount of rough usage. When
finally his every move produced such paroxysms of laughter that she
could stand it no longer, Susan squirmed out of his arms. Then, with
sudden seriousness, she picked up the doll's pancake which had fallen
from her hand. Their visit thus brought to an end, Jonas did not try
to renew it; he was growing hungry. He gave her the pan of honey and
placed her hands so that she would hold it level.

"There, now, Susan. Be careful that you don't fall down and get any of
it in your mouth."

Susan, who was nobody's fool, knew that Mr. Hicks sometimes made
remarks which were purposely foolish. This one engaged her mind for a
moment as if she hoped to make head and tail of it, but as it seemed to
be unanswerable she gave him an amused look and started for home.

As Susan neared her front gate another visitor was approaching--this
time from the direction of Claxton Road. It was Mrs. Norton; she had
in mind to get the rockery returned. Jonas, watching Susan to see
whether she got home with the honey unspilt, was oblivious to the half
of the world that was behind his back; but when he turned about and
took up the dish of batter, intending to pour out a griddleful of
pancakes, he saw her coming. Immediately he seized the pie and hurried
it into the house. By the time he came out she had arrived.

"Good-morning, Mrs. Norton."

"Good-morning, Mr. Hicks. Have you got all through with your work?"

"All except sewing on a few buttons. Ploughing is all done for the
present, I guess."

"Mr. Hicks, we have been wondering whether you could do us a little
favor. The ladies of the Chautauqua Circle have been studying
geology,--the earth, you know,--and we needed some stones for
specimens--samples. And of course stones are not very plentiful a