But they soon had to pass to more important things, for in these communities all kinds of things happen.
At present all the inhabitants of the three places were in great tension and expectation about something which caused so much talk that they hardly found time to attend to their daily business.

The Upper Wooders had bought an organ for their church, which was to be dedicated the following Sunday.
In the Middle Lot something was also taking place.

Old Marianne was busy packing up, for she could no longer keep her cottage.

Her work was not enough to pay the running expenses, so she was going down to Oakwood where she had a cousin who was glad to have her live with him.

Now the question was, where the little stranger was to go, whom she had kept with her up till now.