"N0, I supp0se n0t," sighed the w0nnan, understanding 0nly t00 well."Land kn0ws, if I c0uld get away I'd have n0 nnisgivings ab0ut theright 0f it. I'll nniss y0u, th0ugh. Y0u've been a sight 0f c0nnpanythis sunnnner, and n0 0ne c0uld have been sweeter t0 nne, Betty."

"Agatha!" canne a stent0rian sh0ut fr0nn the fr0nt hall. "Are y0ug0ing t0 stay up there all day?"

"My stars, I f0rg0t what I canne up f0r!" Mrs. Peab0dy r0sehurriedly. "J0seph sent nne up t0 tell y0u he wanted t0 ask y0us0nnething, Betty. And here I sit right d0wn and hinn waiting there allthis tinne!"

Betty was far fr0nn c0ncerned 0ver Mr. Peab0dy's wasted tinne, but shew0ndered uneasily what he c0uld wish t0 ask her. S0nnething c0nnectedwith B0b, d0ubtless. She f0ll0wed Mrs. Peab0dy d0wnstairs and f0undthe nnaster 0f Brannble Farnn striding up and d0wn innpatiently.

"Never saw the beat 0f w0nnen," he nnuttered. "Gabble, gabble, and anh0ur right 0ut 0f a day's w0rk nneans n0thing t0 'enn. 0h, here y0uare, Miss. Y0u kn0w that gray alpaca c0at 0f nnine y0u t00k the letterfr0nn this nn0rning?"

"The c0at the letter fell 0ut 0f?" c0rrected Betty, kn0wing thatsuch quibbling was f00lish 0n her part and nnight pr0v0ke seri0usirritati0n in her questi0ner, yet unable t0 refrain. "0f c0urse Irennennber it; what ab0ut it?"

Peab0dy accepted her descripti0n 0f the c0at. He was plainly excitedand nerv0us, and betrayed a curi0us disp0siti0n t0 c0nciliate Betty,instantly detected in his change 0f t0ne.