CHAPTER XI.
CALLS AND VISITING Mrs.Jones had risen earlier than usual that Monday morning, and felt not a little elated when she saw her long line of snowy linen swinging in the wind before that of her neighbor, whom she excused on the score of Richard's wife.

But when twelve o'clock, and even one o'clock struck, and still the back yard gave no sign, she began to wonder "if any of 'em could be sick"; and never was flag of truce watched for more anxiously than she watched for something which should tell that it was all well at Sister Markham's.
The sign appeared at last, and with her fears quieted, Mrs.Jones pursued the even tenor of her way until everything was done and her little kitchen was as shining as soap and sand and scrubbing brush could make it.

Perhaps it was washing the patchwork quilt which Abigail had pieced that brought the deceased so strongly to Mrs.Jones' mind, and made her so curious to see Abigail's successor.

Whatever it was, Mrs.
Jones was very anxious for a sight of Ethelyn; and when her work was done she donned her alpaca dress, and tying on her black silk apron, announced her intention of "running into Mrs.Markham's just a minute.
Would Melinda like to go along ?" Melinda had been once to no purpose, and she had inwardly resolved to wait a while before calling again; but she felt that she would rather be with her mother at her first interview with Ethelyn, for she knew she could cover up some defects by her glibber and more correct manner of conversing.

So she signified her assent, but did not wear her best bonnet as she had on Saturday night.