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Rh easy as not, if they had n't 'a' been too mean or lazy. Why did n't your missionaries come right along with you?"

"They had to go to the station for their valise and their children."

"Are there children?" groaned Miranda.

"Yes, aunt Miranda, all born under Syrian skies."

"Syrian grandmother!" ejaculated Miranda (and it was not a fact). "How many?"

"I did n't think to ask; but I will get two rooms ready, and if there are any over I 'll take 'em into my bed," said Rebecca, secretly hoping that this would be the case. "Now, as you 're both half sick, could n't you trust me just once to get ready for the company? You can come up when I call. Will you?"

"I believe I will," sighed Miranda reluctantly. "I 'll lay down side o' Jane in our bedroom and see if I can get strength to cook supper. It 's half past three don't you let me lay a minute past five. I kep' a good fire in the kitchen stove. I don't know, I 'm sure, why I should have baked a pot o' beans in the middle of the week, but they 'll come in handy. Father used to say there was nothing that went right to the spot with returned missionaries like pork 'n' beans 'n' brown bread. Fix up the two south chambers, Rebecca."

Rebecca, given a free hand for the only time in her