the Brimblecom's the last
time she spent the summer with 'em, she put a little package in Mis'
Brimblecom's hand just as she went aout the door, 'Jest a little gift in
return for your kindness,' said Sabriny, in her lofty way.

"After she was gone Mis' Brimblecom opened the parcel an' she an' Jabez
just looked at each other, an' didn't speak. Sabriny's gift was _a wire
tea strainer_! Barnes sells 'em fer ten cents daown ter the store."

"I should try, in some way, that she'd understand, ter make her realize
that her room was better'n her company," said Aunt Prudence.

"You _think_ you would," said Mrs. Weston, "but you've a kind heart, an'
while you'd feel like tellin' her ter go, you wouldn't do it."

"Mis' Brimblecom's one er the best women that ever lived, an' it's
provokin' fer her ter be pestered with Sabriny," declared Mrs. Hodgkins.

"Wal, I must be goin'," and away she went, stopping on the way to greet
Randy who stood by the wall upon which sat Prue and Tabby.

Long after Mrs. Hodgkins had left them, Randy and Prue sat under the
shadow of the blossoming branches, and it seemed to Randy that little Prue
had grown more lovely in face and figure. Her curls were longer, and her
sweet eyes darker, her hair had kept its sunny hue, and her coloring was
wonderfully like that of the apple blossoms.

Prue was quite unaware of Randy's loving scrutiny, and she caressed Tabby,
humming contentedly, and looking about at the sunlight, the blossoms and
the butterflies. Suddenly she pointed down the road exclaiming,

"Look, Randy, look! See old Mr. Simpkins coming this way."

As he espied Randy he hastened toward her.

"Glad ter see ye, glad ter see ye, Randy. Ye're lookin' fine. Haow be ye,
an' haow's Boston?"

Randy assured him that the city seemed to be intact when she left it, but
he did not hear.

"I expect ye haven't heared that Timotheus is a lit'rary feller naow,
doin' farm work only 'casionally, so ter speak.

"Oh, ye did hear?" he questioned as Randy nodded assent.

"Wal, he's a feelin' pooty big over his two dollars, but he's kind er
riled with the editor man fer thinkin' his writin' that he writ was funny.
Timotheus has fixed the attic fer a room ter stay in when he's a writin',
an' there he stays, day in, 'n day aout, a workin' away at his literatoor.
It's odd haow boys in one family will hev different idees. Naow Joel likes
store work best. Wal, here's some er the boys and girls a comin' ter see
ye,