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 nodded, surprised, but obedient. Smash on the floor fell the large yellow bow! she carried. Obed and Gerald and Philip started. Gerald ran around the table to see what the calamity amounted to.

Taint of the least consequence," she said; "not a bit. I aint often so unhandy. Just hand me that broom there, an' we'll get the pieces together."

Philip gave her a grateful and amused look at her clever device, and, passing near her, said, "Don't talk any more about that story. Don't let him see the picture! I'll explain later."

Mrs. Probasco not only heeded his words, but found a chance to put them into Obed's ear. Obed looked at Touchtone curiously, as he took the hurried hint.

"Odd!" he thought to himself. "Dare say he don't like the little boy to get such a story clearer in his mind. It aint such a pleasant one."

Supper passed off, the Jennison topic avoided. They had an ever-ready substitute for it in the weather. The storm was at last ceasing. The rain was less, the wind shifting. Next morning might be fairly clear. Obed's rheumatism,