knew that Mr. Sawyer was in love; but no, she was but a waif, with no
name, no birthright, no heritage; that woman had cut her off from her
people. Truly, she had avenged her fancied wrongs.

So Lindy went upstairs to her room, and remained there until after Alice
went home.

When Abner Stiles returned from Eastborough, after having seen Lindy
Putnam and all her belongings safe on board the Boston train, he stopped
at the Putnam house to see if he could be of any further service. Mrs.
Pinkham had arrived some time before, and had attended to those duties
which she had performed for many years for both the young and old of
Mason's Corner, who had been called to their long home. Mr. Tilton, the
undertaker from Montrose, had come over immediately, and had given the
necessary professional service which such sad occasions demand. Mrs.
Pinkham called to Mr. Tilton, and he came to the door.

"No; there is really nothing you can do, Mr. Stiles, unless you will be
so kind as to drive around to Deacon Mason's, Mr. Pettengill's, and Mrs.
Hawkins's, and inform them that the funeral will be from the church, at
two o'clock Friday afternoon. I will see that you are paid for your
services."

Undertakers are naturally polite and courteous men. They step softly,
speak low, and are even-tempered. Their patrons do not worry them with
questions, nor antagonize their views of the fitness of things.

When Abner reached his boarding house, after making his numerous calls,
it was about five o'clock; as he went upstairs he noticed that the door
of Strout's room was ajar. In response to his knock, the Professor said,
"Come in."

"Wall, how do find things?" said Abner, as he entered the room.

"By lookin' for 'em," said the Professor, with a jaunty air.

"Oh, yer know what I mean," said Abner, throwing himself into a chair
and looking inquiringly at Strout. "What was goin' on this noon 'tween
you and that city feller?"

"Well, you see," continued Strout, "Mr. Sawyer and me have been at
swords' points the las' two months over some pussonal matters. Well, he
kinder wanted to fix up things, but he knew I wouldn't consent to let up
on him 'less he treated me square; so I gets a third interest in the
grocery store, the firm name is to be Strout & Maxwell, and I'm to be
postmaster; so, you see, I got the best end after all, jest as I meant
to from the fust. But, see here, Stiles, Mr. Sawyer and I have agreed to
keep our business and our puss