“I guess—there’s sumpin—to be said—on both sides—o’ that controversy,” responded the dressmaker. “Meanin’ that mebbe _a certain party’s_ relative feels just as cross as Mandy Parlow?” suggested Mrs. Gormley. “Yep,” agreed the other woman, biting off her answer and her thread at the same instant. Carolyn May listened, much puzzled. She wondered just who “a certain party” could be. It sounded very mysterious. Mrs. Maine was called away upon some household task, and Mrs. Gormley seemed to change the subject of conversation. “Don’t your uncle, Mr. Stagg, ever speak to you about Mandy Parlow?” she asked the little girl. Carolyn May had to think about this before answering. Then she remembered. “Oh, yes,” she said brightly. “He does? Do tell!” exclaimed Mrs. Gormley eagerly. “What does he say?” “Why, he says her name is _Miss_ Amanda Parlow.” Mrs. Gormley flushed rather oddly and glanced at the child with suspicion. But little Carolyn May was perfectly frank and ingenuous. “Humph!” ejaculated Chet’s mother. “He never says nothing about bein’ in love with Mandy, does he? They was goin’ with each other steady once.” The little girl looked puzzled. “When folks love each other they look at each other and talk to each other, don’t they?” she asked. “Well—yes—generally,” admitted Mrs. Gormley. “Then my Uncle Joe and Miss Amanda Parlow aren’t in love,” announced Carolyn May with confidence, “for they don’t even look at each other.” “They used to. Why, Joseph Stagg and Mandy Parlow was sweethearts years and years ago! Long before your mother left these parts, child.” “That was a long time ’fore I was borned,” said the little girl wonderingly. “Oh, yes. Everybody that went to The Corners’ church thought they’d be married.” “My Uncle Joe and Miss Mandy?” “Yes.” “Then, what would have become of Aunty Rose?” queried Carolyn May. “Oh, Mrs. Kennedy hadn’t gone to keep house for Mr. Stagg then,” replied Mrs. Gormley. “He tried sev’ral triflin’ critters there at the Stagg place before she took hold.” Carolyn May looked at Mrs. Gormley encouragingly. She was very much interested in Uncle Joe and Miss Amanda Parlow’s love affair. “_Why_ didn’t they get married—like my papa and mamma?” she asked. “Oh, goodness knows!” exclaimed Mrs. Gormley. “Some says ’twas his fault and some says ’twas hern. And mebbe ’twas a third party’s that I might mention, at _that_,” added Mrs. Gormley, pursing up her lips in a very knowing way. Here was another mysterious “party”! Carolyn May wondered if this “party” could be related to the “certain party” who seemed so familiar to both of the “dressmaking ladies.”