y," said Quincy; "and you are not working to-day."

"No," replied Leopold; "loafing and enjoying it, too. I've a good mind
to turn vagrant and loaf on, loaf ever."

"Come down to Parker's and have dinner with me."

"Can't do it," replied Leopold; "my stomach is loafing, too. 'Twouldn't
be fair to make it work and do nothing myself. Just as much obliged.
Some other day. Don't forget the book," he cried, as Quincy left the
room.

Quincy took his dinner at Parker's, caught the five minutes past six
express, and reached Eastborough Centre at half-past seven. Abbott Smith
drove him home to the Pettengill house.

The next day was Friday. Everybody at Mason's Corner, with quite a
number from Eastborough and Montrose, came to Mrs. Putnam's funeral. The
little Square in front of the church, as well as the shed, was filled
with teams. While waiting for the arrival of the body, quite a number of
the male residents of Mason's Corner were gathered upon the steps of the
church.

Strout spied Abner Stiles and approached him. "Bob Wood has jest told
me," said the Professor, "that he has decided not to leave his present
place, so I've concluded on second thoughts to give yer that job at the
grocery store."

Abner's eyes twinkled.

"I've had my second thoughts, too," said he, "I've hired out to Deacon
Mason for life, and if I jine the church he says I can work for him in
the next world. So I kinder guess I shall have to decline yer kind
invitation to lift boxes and roll barrels."

When the services were over every person in the church passed up the
centre aisle to take a last view. Her husband had been buried in the
Montrose cemetery, and she had told Mr. Tilton that she was to be laid
by his side. The Eastborough cemetery was in West Eastborough, and for
that reason many of the late residents of Mason's Corner slept their
last sleep at Montrose.

As they stood by the coffin, Alice said, "How does she look?"

"Very pleasant," replied Quincy; "there is a sweet smile upon her face."

"I am so glad," said Alice. She pressed his arm a little tighter, and
looking up to him, she said, "Perhaps she has met her boy, and that
smile is but the earthly reflection of the heavenly one that rests upon
her face in her home above."

"I hope so," replied Quincy; and they walked slowly out of church and
took their places on the rear seat of the Pettengill carryall, Ezekiel
and Uncle Ike sitting in front.

Mandy Skinner and Mrs. Crowley h