"And I—" said Mrs. Lathrop warmly.
"I know you would," said her friend, "whatever faults you've got, Mrs. Lathrop, I'd always feel that about you."
CHAPTER VII
MRS. MACY AND THE CONVENTION
Mrs. Lathrop was out in the garden, pottering around in an aimless sort of way which she herself designated as "looking after things," but which her friend and neighbor called "wastin' time an' strength on nothin'." Whenever Miss Clegg perceived Mrs. Lathrop thus engaged she always interrupted her occupation as speedily as possible. On the occasion of which I write, she emerged from her own kitchen door at once, and called:
"Oh, Mrs. Lathrop, come here, I've got a surprise for you."
Mrs. Lathrop forthwith ceased to gaze fondly and absent-mindedly over her half-acre of domain, and advanced to the fence. Miss Clegg also advanced to the fence, and upon its opposite sides the following conversation took place.
"I went to see Mrs. Macy yesterday afternoon," Miss Clegg began, "an' I saw her an' that's what the surprise come from."
"She isn't—" asked Mrs. Lathrop anxiously.