n a day that was
no holiday at all, but just a plain day of the week, could stand for
but one of two things--the giver was insane, or he had "intentions," and
Miss Sally knew very well that Eliph' Hewlitt was not insane. Unless on
the subject of Jarby's Encyclopedia.

She carried the box of candy to Mrs. Smith, and showed her the card.

"How lovely!" cried Mrs. Smith, an exclamation which might have meant
either the box of candy or the sentiment that inspired the sender, and
then added, "How odd! It smells like soap!"

"That's a sign it's good candy," said Miss Sally. "The candy Rudge sells
always smells of soap, an' he handles only the best, so when you see
candy that smells that way you know it's good. This is Rudge's candy,
sure enough, for I know this box by heart. Rudge has had it in his show
case ever since the firm was Crimmins & Rudge. It must be some stale by
this time, but the box is pretty."

"I don't suppose Mr. Hewlitt knew it was stale," said Mrs. Smith, "He
evidently tried to get the best he could."

"Yes," admitted Miss Sally. "He wouldn't know this box of candy so well
as we town folks do, him bein' a newcomer here. I suppose Rudge gave him
a discount off the price on account of the box bein' soiled a little.
I hope to goodness that man wasn't so foolish as to go an' pay straight
sixty cents a pound for it. He got cheated if he did, an' I'll tell him
so when I see him next." She slowly untied the red ribbon that bound the
box, and rolled it neatly around the fingers of her left hand, to lay
away for future use. "Now, what do you suppose that man sent it to me
for?" she asked.

Mrs. Smith smiled, for she knew Miss Sally was asking the question
merely that she might have her own belief made sure by the words of
another.

"Because he's in love, of course," said Mrs. Smith. "Because he is
desperately in love. It is a romance, my dear."

Miss Sally looked doubtfully toward Susan, who was curled up on the
old sofa in the corner of the room. She was not sure that such matters
should be discussed before one so young, but Susan would have refused to
leave the room, even if asked, and she resented the questioning glance
that Miss Sally had thrown at Mrs. Smith.

"'Courtship--How to Make Love--How to Win the Affections--How To Hold
Them When Won,'" she said gaily. "'First, get acquainted; second, make
small presents, such as flowers, books or candy; third, ask for the
lady's hand.' You needn't look at m