"I s'pose she's asleep, with her feet in the oven," Susan said in a spirit of rebellion and disapproval mixed, and then she battered madly for entrance.
Mrs. Lathrop was asleep, and did have her feet in the oven. She was particularly fond of finishing up her daily desultoriness in that manner. It took time slightly to disturb her slumber, more time yet to awaken her fully, and still again more time to get her to the door and open it.
"Well, Susan!" she said in a tone of cordial surprise when she saw who it was; "the idea of—"
"He wanted as I should see you to-night, rain or shine," said the friend, advancing into the middle of the kitchen.
"Who wanted?"
"The deacon. Did n't you see him this afternoon?"
Mrs. Lathrop furtively rubbed her eyes.
"Oh, yes, yes—I—" she began.
"Well, he wanted as I should come right over an' tell you to-night. An' I told him 't I would."
"Tell me wh—"