"Whose hay is in first, and whose orchard will yield the most cider," said Euphemia. "Yes; and how all their children are, and how many eggs go in a pudding." "I don't believe they make puddings with eggs very often," said the other sister again. "Their puddings are more like hasty puddings, I fancy." "Some of 'em make pretty good things," said old Mr. Bowdoin. "Things you can't beat, Phemie. There's Mrs. Mansfield--she's a capital housekeeper; and Mrs. Starling. _She_ can cook." "What do they expect you to do at the sewing meeting, Vevay?" "Show myself, I suppose," said Mrs. Reverdy. "Well, I guess I'd go," said her grandfather, looking at her. "It would be as good a thing as you could do." "Go, grandpa? O, how ridiculous!" exclaimed Mrs. Reverdy, with her pretty face all wrinkled up with amusement. "Go? yes. Why not?" "I don't know how to knit; and I shouldn't know how to talk orchards and puddings." "I think you had better go. It is not a knitting society, as I understand it; and I am sure you can be useful." "Useful!" echoed Mrs. Reverdy. "It's the last thing I know how to be. And I don't belong to the society, grandpa." "I shouldn't like them to think that," said the old gentleman. "You belong to me; and I belong to them, my dear." "Isn't it dreadful!" said Mrs. Reverdy in a low aside. "Now he's got this in his head--whatever am I going to do?--Suppose I invite them all to Elmfield; how would you like that, sir?" she added aloud. "Yes, my dear, yes," said the old gentleman, pushing back his chair; for the cup of coffee was the last part of his breakfast; "it would be well done, and I should be glad of it. Ask 'em all." "You are in for it now, Vevay," said Gertrude, when the ladies were left. "How will you manage?" "O, I'll give them a grand entertainment and send them away delighted," said Mrs. Reverdy. "You see, grandpa wishes it; and I think it'll be fun." "Do you suppose Evan really paid attentions to that pretty girl we saw at the blackberrying?" "I don't know," Mrs. Reverdy answered. "He told me nothing about it. I should think Evan was crazy to do it; but men do crazy things. However, I don't believe it of him, Gerty. What nonsense!" "I can find out, if she comes," said Miss Masters. "You'll ask her, Genevieve?" So it fell out that an invitation to hold the next meeting of the sewing society at Elmfield was sent to the ladies accustomed to be at such meetings; and a great stir of expectation in consequence went through all Pleasant Valley. For Elmfield, whether they acknowledged it or not, was at the top of their social tree. The invitation came in due course to Mrs. Starling's house.