“We must be thinkin’ o’ dinner,” said Aunt Cynthia gayly. “I wish I was better prepared; but there’s nice eggs an’ pork an’ potatoes, an’ you girls can take hold an’ help.” At this moment the roast chicken and the best mince pies were offered and kindly accepted, and before another hour had gone they were sitting at their New Year feast, which Mrs. Dallett decided to be quite proper for the Queen. Before the guests departed, when the sun was getting low, Aunt Cynthia called her niece to her side and took hold of her hand. “Don’t you make it too long now, Abby,” said she. “I shall be wantin’ ye every day till you come; but you mustn’t forgit what a set old thing I be.” Abby had the kindest of hearts, and was always longing for somebody to love and care for; her aunt’s very age and helplessness seemed to beg for pity. “This is Saturday; you may expect me the early part of the week; and thank you, too, aunt,” said Abby. Mrs. Hand stood by with deep sympathy. “It’s the proper thing,” she announced calmly. “You’d both of you be a sight happier; and truth is, Abby’s wild an’ reckless, an’ needs somebody to stand right over her, Mis’ Dallett. I guess she’ll try an’ behave, but there—there’s no knowin’!” And they all laughed. Then the New Year guests said farewell and started off down the mountain road. They looked back more than once to see Aunt Cynthia’s face at the window as she watched them out of sight. Miss Abby Pendexter was full of excitement; she looked as happy as a child. “I feel as if we’d gained the battle of Waterloo,” said Mrs. Hand. “I’ve really had a most beautiful time. You an’ your aunt mustn’t forgit to invite me up some time again to spend another day.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES Page Changed from Changed to 11 or had been chased of out its or had been chased out of its own own 220 but I do’ know as ’twould been but I don’ know as ’twould been any good to any good to ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=.