g them in the parlor. The girl had the feeling that she had
been undergoing a rather vigorous cross-examination. Mrs. Wyeth had not
talked a great deal herself and her manner, though brusque and matter
of fact, was kind; but she had asked questions about Mary-'Gusta's home
life, about Captain Gould and Mr. Hamilton, about school and friends and
acquaintances. And her comments, when she made any, were direct and to
the point.

She and Mr. Keith exchanged looks when the latter entered the room.
Keith raised his eyebrows inquiringly. She nodded as if giving emphatic
assent to his unspoken question.

Shadrach and Mary-'Gusta left the house soon afterward. While the
Captain and Mr. Keith were whispering together in the hall, Mrs. Wyeth
bade the girl good-by.

"I like you, my dear," said the lady. "You seem to be a sweet, sensible
girl, and I don't meet as many of that kind nowadays as I could wish. I
am sure we shall be good friends."

"And WHAT did she mean by that?" demanded Mary-'Gusta, as she and the
Captain walked along Pinckney Street together. "Why should we be good
friends? Probably I'll never meet her again."

Shadrach smiled. "Oh, you can't always tell," he said. "Sometimes you
meet folks oftener'n you think in this world."

Mary-'Gusta looked at him. "Uncle Shad," she said, "what does all this
mean, anyway? Why did you go to her house? And what was the mysterious
business of yours with Mr. Keith?"

The Captain shook his head. "We've got a hen on, same as I told you,"
he declared. "When it's time for the critter to come off the nest you'll
see what's been hatched same as the rest of us. How'd you like that Mrs.
Wyeth? Had a pretty sharp edge on her tongue, didn't she?"

Mary-'Gusta considered. "Yes," she answered; "she was outspoken and
blunt, of course. But she is a lady--a real lady, I think--and I'm sure
I should like her very much when I knew her better. I think, though,
that she would expect a person to behave--behave in her way, I mean."

"Judas! I should say so. Don't talk! I ain't felt so much as if I was
keepin' my toes on a chalk mark since I went to school. I don't know
what her husband died of, but I'll bet 'twasn't curvature of the spine.
If he didn't stand up straight 'twasn't his wife's fault."

Mary-'Gusta's curiosity concerning the mysterious business which had
brought them to the city became greater than ever before it was time to
take the train for home. Apparently all of that business