Mrs. Gartney experienced an internal convulsion, but retained her outward composure.
"I suppose you would quite as lief be called Parthenia?"
"Ruther," replied the relict, laconically.
And Mrs. Parthenia Battis was forthwith installed—pro tem.—in the Cross Corners kitchen.
"She's got considerable gumption," was the opinion Luther volunteered, of his own previous knowledge—for Mrs. Battis was an old schoolmate and neighbor—"but she's powerful slow."
CHAPTER XV.
NEW DUTIES.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."—Ecc. 9:10.