"We used to go to the well with a sieve instead of a pitcher; that's really the difference," said Mary Leonard. "We've learned not to be wasteful, that's all."
"What fun we used to have," said Lucy, her eyes shining, "visiting your cousins!"
"It was fun!" said the other. "Do you remember the husking party at the Kendals' barn?"
"Of course I do, and the red ears that that Chickering girl was always finding! I think she picked them out on purpose, so that Tom Endover would kiss her. It was just like those Chickerings!" There was a gentle venom in Lucy Eastman's tones that made Mary Leonard laugh till the tears came into her eyes.
"Minnie Chickering wasn't the only girl that Tom Endover kissed, if I remember right," she said, with covert intention.
"Well, he put the red ear into my hands himself, and I just husked it without thinking anything about it," retorted Lucy Eastman, with spirit.
"Of course you did, of course you did," asseverated Mary Leonard, whereupon the other laughed too, but with reservation.
"And do you remember old Miss Pinsett's, where we used to go to act charades?"
"Yes, indeed, in the old white house at the foot of the hill, with a cupola. She seemed so old; I wonder how old she was?"
"Perhaps we shouldn't think her so old to-day. People used to wear caps earlier then than they do now. I think when they were disappointed in love they put on caps! Miss Pinsett had been disappointed in love, so they said."