"Everyone knows you're a splendid housekeeper," said Mrs. Lessways. "Always were." "I remember the refreshments at your annual dances," said Hilda, politely enthusiastic. "I always attended to those myself," Miss Gailey judicially observed. "I don't know anything about refreshments at dances," said Mrs. Lessways, "but I do know what your housekeeping is, Sarah!" "Well, that's what George says!" Sarah simpered. "He says he never had such meals and such attention as that year he lived with me." "I'm sure he's been sorry many a time he ever left you!" exclaimed Caroline. "Many and many a time!" "Oh, well.... Relatives, you know...." Sarah murmured vaguely. This was the only reference to the estrangement. She went on with more vivacity. "And then Mr. Cannon has always had ideas about boarding-houses and furnished rooms and so on. He always did say there was lots of money to be made out of them if only they were managed properly; only they never are.... He ought to know; he's been a bachelor long enough, and he's tried enough of them! He says he isn't at all comfortable where he is," she added, as it were aside to Caroline. "It's some people who used to let lodgings to theatre people at Hanbridge." "Oh! _Them_!" cried Caroline. The talk meandered into a maze of reminiscences, and Hilda had to realize her youthfulness and the very inferior range of her experience: Sarah and Caroline recalled to each other dozens of persons and events, opening up historical vistas in a manner that filled the young girl with envious respect, in spite of herself. "Do you remember Hanbridge Theatre being built, Sarah?" questioned Caroline. "My grandfather--Hilda's great-grandfather--tendered for it--not that he got the job--but he was very old." "Did he now? No, I don't. But I dare say I was in London then." "I dare say that would be it." "Yes," said Sarah, turning to Hilda once more, "that's just what Mr. Cannon says. He says it isn't as if I didn't know what London is.... But it's such a long time ago!" She glanced at Caroline as if for sympathy. "Come, come, Sarah!" Caroline protested stoutly, and yet with a care for Sarah's sensitiveness. "It isn't so long ago as all that!" "It seems so long," said Sarah, reflective; and her mouth worked uneasily. Then, after a pause: "He's so set on it!" "Set on what? On your going to London?" "Yes." "And why not?" "Well, I don't know whether I could--" "Paw!" scoffed Caroline lightly and flatteringly. "You're younger than I am, and I'm not going to have anyone making out that I'm getting old. Now do finish that bit of cake." "No, thank you, Caroline. I really couldn't." "Not but what I should be sorry enough to lose you," Caroline concluded. "There's no friends like the old friends." "Ah! No!" Sarah thickly muttered, gazing with her watery eyes at a spot on the white diaper.