The remainder of the week brought a string of visitors, for Mrs. Perry had not been slow in spreading the news of the new inmate of Miss Rindy Crump’s home, and all were curious to know what this young person might be like. The morning after Mr. Todd’s call Marietta Hale came running in with a plate of hot rolls. “I just thought I’d bring these in myself,” she said. “Lucilena this minute took them out of the oven, and they’re piping hot. Barry wasn’t quite ready for breakfast. This your niece, Miss Rindy?” “My cousin,” corrected Miss Rindy. “Oh, yes, I remember Mrs. Perry did say cousin. I’m glad she’s come. Billy took such a fancy to her. He told me there was a ‘wovewy young wady’ next door; he has trouble with his _l_’s you know.” She smiled upon Ellen, who, in the grace of her girlish slimness, appealed to the plump Marietta just as she had appealed to Jeremy Todd. “Do run in often to see me,” Mrs. Hale added. “You mean to see Billy; she wouldn’t be liable to find you at home,” remarked Miss Rindy with a twinkle. “Now, Miss Rindy, you know I’m not always out,” protested Marietta laughing. She was always good-natured. “Well, I don’t know the time when I’ve not met you either going or coming,” retorted Miss Rindy. “Then that means you are out as often as I am,” declared Marietta triumphantly, and after this parting shot she announced that she must fly or Barry would be mad because she kept breakfast waiting; “though, goodness knows, he does it often enough himself,” she said as she went out. “She’s rather a good sort, flibbertigibbet though she is,” admitted Miss Rindy. “She’s as generous as they make ’em, good-tempered, too. You never hear her pick people to pieces the way some do. You needn’t smile, Ellen; I know I do a good deal of criticising myself, but I try not to make it ill-natured. Besides I am analyzing the townsfolk for your benefit, so you may know what to expect. I suppose you’d find out for yourself in time, but forewarned is forearmed.” The day was still young when Ellen discovered that she had not been forewarned in the case of Miss Sophia Garrett, who came in before the morning work was quite done. She was a lady of uncertain years but of no uncertain opinions. She prided herself upon being blunt and outspoken, avowing that she would speak the truth at any cost. “Well, Rindy,” she began as she entered, “where’s the girl? I hear you have taken on a new responsibility. I hope you haven’t done anything rash, committed yourself so to speak. It is a serious undertaking to assume the care of a giddy young girl. Nobody can tell how she will turn out, and if she grows up to be a slattern or a light character, you will be censured for not bringing her up as you should.” “Ellen may be young, but I don’t believe any one could charge her with being giddy,” Miss Rindy retorted.