"
"Well, I declare for't, I am disapp'inted," said the old lady
regretfully. "I've walked a mile on puppus to see her. I'm most
tuckered out."
"Won't you step in and sit down?"
"Well, I don't keer ef I do a few minutes. I feel like to drop.
Do you do the cooking while you maam's gone?"
"No, she baked up enough to last before she went away."
"You hain't got any gingerbread in the house?" asked Mrs. Payson,
with subdued eagerness. "I always did say Mis' Forbes beat the
world at makin' gingerbread."
"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Payson, but we ate the last for supper last
night."
"Oh, dear!" sighed the old lady, "I feel sort of faint--kinder
gone at the stomach. I didn't have no appetite at dinner, and I
s'pose it don't agree with me walkin' so fur on an empty
stomach."
"Couldn't you eat a piece of pie?" asked Betsy sympathizingly.
"Well," said the old lady reflectively, "I don't know but I could
eat jest a bite. But you needn't trouble yourself. I hate to give
trouble to anybody."
"Oh, it won't be any trouble," said Betsy cheerfully.
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