"That is a slight cause, daughter Britann," said grandmother. "Do'st thee feel sure there was no other?" "I suppose I know when I take cold," she retorted. "I always take cold if I leave off my apron; and, if I go to a tea-party, I always wear my apron under my dress." "I declare!" exclaimed Patty, rushing in like a whirlwind. "I'll never speak to that horrid Tom Putnam again to the longest day I live!" "Softly, softly," said the old lady. "Thee do'st not wish to make promises and break them. What disturbs thee?" "It's about you, grandmother. He dared to say you were not married." "Not married?" "Not married!" echoed Mrs. Sanford. "And your family always held out to be so much better than ours, and so leading me to marry into it, and help bear the disgrace!" "Hush, mother!" Patty said impatiently. "There isn't any disgrace. It is only a blunder of Mr. Putnam's." "Then, your father ought to sue him for libel. I always told you I didn't approve of your dawdling about with that lawyer, with Clarence Toxteth at your beck and call. But you always would have your own way, and disgrace us all by keeping company with the man that slanders your family." "Slanders our family!" Patty returned, her eyes blazing. "Who said he slandered the family? If he isn't disgraced by my company, I'm sure I am not by his. I shouldn't be ashamed to sweep the streets for him to walk on!" "You'd demean yourself, I dare say, when you might have the streets swept for you." "I"--began her daughter. "Daughter Patience," interposed her grandmother, laying her hand upon the girl's arm, "thee had best not say it." By a strong effort Patty repressed the retort which had sprung to her lips. "What does it mean, grandmother?" she asked, when a moment's silence had given her more composure. "Tom Putnam says he can find no proof of your marriage." "I told thy father to tell him to go to the town-records." "He says he has, and it is not there." "Then, the man that married us neglected his duty," the old lady said with gentle severity. "He was a Methodist preacher at Quinnebasset; for we had only one preacher here, and he was away; and that, as thee knows, was before I received light to become a Friend." "But didn't you have a certificate?" asked Mrs. Sanford. "No. The man promised us one; but, though he was a man of God, he kept his word no better than one of the world's people, and we never got it." "What are you talking about?" demanded Flossy, entering. "I told Will I didn't think this play would be very intelligible to the audience; and he said they would have the advantage of the actors, if it were. Was that what you were talking about?" "Flossy," her aunt said disdainfully, "don't be so silly!" "Thank you, aunt Britann. I prefer to be silly." So saying, she made her aunt a graceful courtesy, and then sat down. "What were you talking about?" Patty explained; and her cousin flourished her bowl of pop-corn wildly about with excitement.