"Like the last run o' shad," returned Miss Barry promptly.
"I never met a belated shad."
"Well, you've eaten 'em, haven't you? I'd just as soon eat a fried paper of pins."
"You mean that Bertram is thin?"
"Just so. He looks as if he'd been through the war, and so he has."
"I feel as if I ought to go back to him."
"Law! Don't leave me yet!" exclaimed Miss Barry in a panic. "You're the only person Linda can stand the sight of. Oh! if I'm not glad to get home!" The speaker inflated her lungs and stepped lightly.
"You say she blames Bertram for her father's misfortunes."
"Yes; and I guess she ain't the only one, from what Harriet says. Lots o' folks think my brother pinned his faith to Mr. King's judgment in taking on a new proposition."
"Yes," returned Mrs. Porter thoughtfully. "I've heard it said."