ion, with a pitcher in one hand and a covered dish
in the other. Ez followed her with a plate wrapped in a napkin, and
Billy brought up the rear with a bucket of cool water which he sloshed
over his bare feet with every step.

"Why, Deacon," demanded Eliza sternly, "you ain't gone and et breakfast
with Mother Mayberry, when I told you about Maw making light rolls
before she went to bed 'cause to-day is Wednesday?"

"No, Eliza," answered the Deacon meekly, with a delighted glance at
Mother Mayberry out of the corner of his eye. "Neither Mrs. Bostick nor
I would think of breakfasting without your superintendence. I was just
starting over to tell you that she felt indisposed and would like to
see you and Sister Mayberry, along with the Doctor, later in the day."

"Well," answered Eliza confidently, "I think I can tend to her if
Mother Mayberry is too busy to come. I was a-going to watch for Doctor
Tom and ask him in anyway. Please come on home, Deacon, 'fore the rolls
get cold and the scrambled eggs set. Ez, hold the plate straight or the
butter will run outen the rolls! Please come on, Deacon!"

"Yes, Deacon, go along with her right away," answered Mother Mayberry,
as her eyes rested on the serious face of the ministering child with a
peculiar tenderness tinged with respect. "And, 'Liza, honey, stop by
and tell me how Mis' Bostick does when you come back, and let me know
if you need me to help you any."

"Yes'm, Mother Mayberry," answered Eliza with a flash of pure joy
shining in her devoted little face when she found that she was not to
be supplanted in her attendance on her charges. "I was a-coming to see
you this morning anyway about the place Mr. Mosbey burned his finger
and I tied up last night. Please come on, Deacon!"

"And a little child shall lead them," said Mother Mayberry to herself,
as she watched the breakfast party down the road. Martin Luther had
come out from the table by this time and now trotted along at the
Deacon's heels like a replete and contented puppy. Ez held the plate
carefully and Billy seemed about sure of arriving at his destination
with at least half the bucket of cool water. "Yes, a little child--but
some children are borned with a full-growed heart."

And true to her promise Eliza appeared an hour or two later to hold
serious consultation over the blacksmithing finger down the Road.

"'Liza," said Mother Mayberry as she prepared a stall for the finger
and poured a cooling lotion in