Mrs. Payson put on her cloak and hood, and, armed with the work-bag and the invariable blue cotton umbrella, sallied out. Mrs. Forbes lived at the distance of a mile, but Mrs. Payson was a good walker for a woman of her age, and less than half an hour brought her to the door of the brown farmhouse in which Mrs. Forbes lived.
She knocked on the door with the handle of her umbrella. The summons was answered by a girl of twelve.
“How dy do, Betsy?” said Mrs. Payson. “Is your ma'am to home?”
“No, she's gone over to Webbington to spend two or three days with Aunt Prudence.”
“Then she won't be home to tea,” said Mrs. Payson, considerably disappointed.
“No, ma'am, I don't expect her before to-morrow.”
“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.”
“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.
“And while you're about it,” added Mrs. Payson, “ef you have got any of that cider you give me when I was here before, I don't know but I could worry down a little of it.”
“Yes, we've got plenty. I'll bring it in with the pie.”
“Well,” murmured the old lady, “I'll get something for my trouble. I guess I'll go and take supper at Mis' Frost's a'terward.”
Betsy brought in a slice of apple and one of pumpkin pie, and set them down before the old lady. In addition she brought a generous mug of cider.
The old lady's eyes brightened, as she saw this substantial refreshment.