, we couldn't 'a' known it, and no use cryin' over spilt milk,"
returned her mother. Mrs. Lemuel Foster had raised her pompadour
exceptionally high this morning, and the knot at the back of her head
had the psyche-like protuberance reserved for state occasions.

"Whoa, Jim. Hi thar, Pete," said Cap'n Lem, for his steeds began to
exhibit spirit at the proximity of the barn. "Oh, yes, they come all
right."

"Then who is it?" cried the two on the doorstep, in perfect unison.
Thinkright's message had not specified the nature of his guest.

"The missin' link," replied Cap'n Lem. "Haw, haw, haw!"

The pent-up roar burst forth at last.

"Father, he _hain't_ brought home a monkey!" Mrs. Lem's consciousness
of the trail on her black brilliantine suddenly failed to support her
company manner. "Do tell me you're foolin'!" she added acutely.

"Why, I think 't would be splendid!" cried Minty eagerly, watching her
grandfather's heaving shoulders. "Where'd ye leave 'em, grandpa?"

"Daown t' the Basin."

Minty clapped her hands, and her round eyes shone. "To let it have a
drink and run through the woods. Oh, what fun! I'll let it sleep with
me."

Her mother gave her a sounding slap. "Hold your tongue, Minty Foster,
and let the cap'n speak. Why did Thinkright ask me to get the best room
ready, then? If a monkey comes into this house I go out of it, and I
_stay_ out."

"'Tain't a monkey, no, 'tain't," returned Cap'n Lem tearfully but
pacifically; "but I made the best joke, Lucil, if I do say it. I'm
laughin' yit. Ye couldn't 'preciate it till ye see her, then I'll tell
ye, an if yew don't bust your sides"--

"Her? Is she young or old?" demanded Mrs. Lem, recovering a sense of
the lustre on her brilliantine.

"Oh, pretty so-so," returned her father-in-law aggravatingly.

"Then they'll be up here in a few minutes," said Mrs. Lem, her black
eyes snapping. "Get in out o' the wind, Minty, or you won't have no
Boston left." She smoothed the limp roll into which Minty's front hair
had been coaxed, and pushed her inside the open door, where the child
lingered.

"You might tell who she is, grandpa," she called.

"Why, then,--come now, I will. It's mean to tease ye. It's Miss Lacey."

"Oh--!" A long-drawn sound of disappointment escaped from both his
hearers. "Why couldn't Thinkright have said so!" exclaimed Mrs. Lem.
"Miss Lacey'd jest as lieves have seen us in our every-day things."

"I don't care," said Minty, hopeful still