"Oh! not _next_ Sunday, Cap'n Parks!" cried Miss Phrony, with another languishing glance. "That is _too_ suddin! The Sunday after, p'raps, if you will have it so." "Just as you say!" said Calvin, struggling with a specially dry chip of ham. "The sooner the better, Miss Phrony, if things is as you said." "Have some pie!" cried the lady with sudden tenderness. "Do! I made it o' purpose for you, Cap'n!" "Did!" said Calvin, and he eyed the pie gravely. "Well, just a leetle portion, Miss Phrony! I made a hearty dinner, and--mince, is it, or--or what?" he added, after the first mouthful. "I don't seem to recognize the flavor." "It's Pie-fillene!" said Miss Phrony complacently. "I got a sample package when I was over to the Corners, and I saved it for you." "Now that was real thoughtful of you!" said Calvin. "Do you like it?" asked the maiden coyly. "It's consid'able different from mince!" said Calvin. "Yes, it is a remarkable pie," he added, after a second bite; "no two ways about that. I never tasted one like it. Do you s'pose I could have just a mite of butter on this biscuit, Miss Phrony?" [Illustration: "WITH ONE SWIFT MOTION, CALVIN TRANSFERRED THE PIE FROM HIS PLATE TO THE STOVE."] Miss Phrony assented, and went into the pantry. Then, with one swift, stealthy motion, Calvin Parks transferred the portion of pie from his plate to the stove, replaced the stove-cover noiselessly, and was in his seat and gazing placidly at his empty plate before Miss Phrony appeared with the butter. "Why, you've eat your pie real speedy!" she cried joyfully. "It's all gone!" said Calvin soberly. "Not a mite left. No--no thank you, not another morsel! but it certinly is a remarkable pie. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go in and have a pipe with the old lady." "So do!" said Miss Phrony graciously. "I'll be in as soon as I've done the dishes, Cap'n." "Don't hasten!" said Calvin Parks earnestly. Old Mrs. Marlin was still cowering over the stove, her fingers spread like a bird's claws. "Did you like your supper, Cap'n?" she asked, as Calvin entered. "That's what!" replied Calvin enigmatically. "It's all dust and ashes!" said the old lady unexpectedly. "Well!" said Calvin. "I dono as I'd go so fur as that, quite, but it was undeniable dry." "Jesus'll kerry me through!" the widow went on, rocking herself back and forth. "Dust and ashes, and Jordan rollin' past, rollin' past!" Her eyes glittered, and her voice rose in a sing-song whine. "Hold on there, old lady," said Calvin Parks. "Come out o' that now, and let's be sociable Christmas night. I dono as you'd think it right and proper to allow of me smokin', what?"