CHAPTER XXVII
BETSY RECEIVES
Betsy’s letter to Mrs. Bachelder was a lighted match to a fuse. Within an hour Betsy’s Fairport, to a man, woman, and child, knew that she had linked her fortunes to Captain Salter’s.
Mrs. Pogram was one of the first to call upon the bride. Enveloped in a black shawl, and moving with heavy deliberation, the mournful lady walked up the path bordered with fragrant pinks, and looked with lugubrious but appreciative eyes about the sunny garden of the rock-bound cottage.
Betsy saw her coming, and opened the door.
“That’s right, Mrs. Pogram. This is neighborly,” she said.
The visitor regarded her with doleful curiosity, examining her gingham dress and white apron, and the smooth arrangement of her trim head, with approval.
“You look awfully well, Betsy,” she said.
“Will you come in, or do you like to sit out here in the sunshine?”