"Why, Mis' Cullom, I'm real glad to see ye.

Come right in," said Mrs.
Bixbee as she drew the widow into the "wing settin' room," and proceeded to relieve her of her wraps and her bundle.

"Set right here by the fire while I take these things of your'n into the kitchen to dry 'em out.
I'll be right back"; and she bustled out of the room.

When she came back Mrs.Cullom was sitting with her hands in her lap, and there was in her eyes an expression of smiling peace that was good to see.
Mrs.Bixbee drew up a chair, and seating herself, said: "Wa'al, I don't know when I've seen ye to git a chance to speak to ye, an' I was real pleased when David said you was goin' to be here to dinner.

An' my! how well, you're lookin'-- more like Cynthy Sweetland than I've seen ye fer I don't know when; an' yet," she added, looking curiously at her guest, "you 'pear somehow as if you'd ben cryin'." "You're real kind, I'm sure," responded Mrs.Cullom, replying to the other's welcome and remarks _seriatim_; "I guess, though, I don't look much like Cynthy Sweetland, if I do feel twenty years younger 'n I did a while ago; an' I have ben cryin', I allow, but not fer sorro', Polly Harum," she exclaimed, giving the other her maiden name.