“I shall always believe it a real miracle that time,” said Lissa. “It was only a day or two before that that Nathan had brought the calves around to crop the grass before the house. Had it not been for that, it surely would have burned. And who inspired him to bring them just when he did?” “I think you all learned something that time,” said Alice. “You have since followed Mark’s example and kept the grass cut around the house. But there’s always danger in the fall, when the weeds are high in the outlying fields.” “When Mr. Elmer’s house was burned it was nearly as terrifying. Nathan was thirty-five miles from home, and men came across the fields and lighted back fires for me. The wind was driving the flames up from the south and burning corn-fields and houses by the way,” Lissa said. “How dreadful! You sometimes have it very cold here also,” said Mrs. Clyne. “Yes, but we are used to that, and our houses are warm. Don’t worry about that, mother.” “Certainly not, I can stand it if you can, I am sure. But how are you off socially? Have you pleasant neighbors?” “Yes, indeed, and neighbors are neighbors, here. We call each other by the first name,—that is, most of us do,—and we are not above borrowing from one another when necessary.” “I should think not,” laughed Alice. “We have often loaned our dresses and shoes.” “And that isn’t all.” And then the twain looked at each other and laughed again. “I don’t see how you ever became accustomed to it, girls. You were brought up to such a different life,” Mrs. Clyne remarked. “O, it’s easy, just as easy as learning to skate,” responded Lissa, not finding at hand any more suitable comparison. “It comes to one naturally in a little time.” Mrs. Clyne shook her head. “I’m afraid it wouldn’t come to me. I’m too old.” “O, now mother, don’t think that. You’ll really enjoy it. And we have some really nice people here. The McClearys, for instance; and the Davitts and the Youngs and the Garretts. Then we _know_ every one for miles away, and intimately.” “Yes,” said Alice, “we know all the private affairs of each other. If Mrs. Garrett gets a new dress all the neighbors know of it, and if I have company to tea, or make plum butter, it is known from here to C——” “Ah, it’s all beyond me,” Mrs. Clyne sighed. “And when we visit one another we take our work along and stay to tea,” giggled Lissa, “whether we are invited or not.” “And just think, mother, I have been in a carriage but once or twice since we came here. I always go horseback,” added Alice. “And Donald,—I’m sure you’ll allow me to follow our custom out here and call you so, as you are one of the family,—the young folks go ‘sparking’ out here, and—” “And sit in the corner and hold each other’s hands,” put in Nathan. “Whew, that sounds interesting. I’m booked for at least one winter here. Are the girls pretty?”