"I ordered nothing," said Miss Hester in surprise. "It must be a mistake."
"There's a paper marked Miss Hester Brackenbury," said Billy. "I guess it is all right. The man's gone, anyhow. Let's open the basket."
"But Billy—"
"It's bought and paid for, the man said so, and he said it was for you."
Billy paused in the act of drawing forth packages.
Miss Hester flushed but did not forbid the unpacking of the basket. It held many dainties: a roasted chicken, a glass of jelly, fruit, crackers, cheese and a delicious cake.
"Let me see that paper," said Miss Hester.
Billy handed it to her. There was the name plain enough, and on the other side of the paper was written:
"In honor of Ruth's return."
"It's Tom Peaslee's doings," exclaimed Miss Hester. "There is no doing anything with him once he takes a notion."