"How old was Willard?" he inquired, pausing to test the mass his mortar held.
The tears came into her eyes.
"Thirty-four," she answered.
"How old?"
After she had repeated it, 'Melia turned suddenly, and made a solemn statement.
"I picked off my gloxinias and gave 'em all to Willard." She lisped on the name, and made it a funny flower.
Hetty was trembling.
"Yes, dear, yes," she responded prayerfully. "They were real handsome blooms. I was obleeged to ye." She wondered if the lisping mouth would say, "There's another one open," and the fat hand pluck it for her. She shut her lips and tried to seal her mind, lest the child should be prompted and the test should fail.
"I dunno 's I remember what year Willard's father died?" Grandsir was inquiring.
"O Lord!" breathed Hetty, "I can't bear no more."