"That's a fact," spoke up Viny. "You 'ave to live with folks to find 'em out, and I've lived there and I never seen better Christians; they don't keep their religion for Sundays, but Mr. Keith 'e reads in the good book hevery night and mornin' and prays just like a minister--honly not so long--and they sing 'ymns. And I never 'eard a cross word pass between Mr. and Mrs. Keith--or Mrs. Stan'ope heither, and they never threaten the children they'll do something hawful like breakin' their bones or skinnin' of 'em alive, has some folks does; but just speaks to 'em quiet like, sayin' exactly what they mean: and they're always minded too." [Illustration] [Illustration] Chapter Fourteenth. "Jest and youthful jollity, Quips and cranks and wanton wiles, Nods and becks and wreathed smiles." "THERE had better be less talk, if these rags are all to be sewed to-day," remarked Miss Drybread, taking a fresh supply from the basket, then straightening herself till she was, if possible, more erect than before. "I can talk and work too; my needle haint stopped because my tongue was runnin'," retorted Viny; "and it strikes me you've been doin' your share as well's the rest." "My second ball's done," said Claudina, tossing it up. "A good big one too, and wound real tight," said Rhoda Jane taking it, giving it a squeeze, then rolling it into a corner where quite a pile had collected. "How quick you are, Claudina," said Mildred. "Not so very; I've been at it quite a good while. Some folks can pretty nearly make two to my one." And she glanced toward Miss Drybread who was just beginning to wind her second. "But 'tain't everybody that winds em as good and solid as you do, Claudina," said another girl significantly; "windin' loose can make a ball grow fast, I tell you!" "'All is not gold that glitters,'" quoted Mildred. "I'd begin to wind if I were you," said Claudina, "you have quite a pile there and it might get into a tangle." "Thank you. I'm new to the business," said Mildred laughing, "and shall take the advice of an older hand." "Supper's ready," announced Minerva, opening the kitchen door. "Put down your rags and walk right out, ladies," said Rhoda Jane. "It seems to me that I, for one, need some preparation," said Mildred, dropping hers and looking at her hands. "Oh yes, we'll wash out here," said Rhoda Jane, leading the way. A tin bucket full of water, a dipper and washbasin, all bright from a recent scouring, stood on a bench in the shed at the outer kitchen door; a piece of brown soap lay there also, and a clean crash towel hung on a nail in the wall close by. The girls used these in turn, laughing and chatting merrily the while, then gathered about the table, which was bountifully spread with good plain country fare--chicken, ham, dried beef, pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes, cheese, eggs, pie, cake and preserves, in several varieties, hot cakes and cold bread, tea and coffee.