"How do you know he has not?" demanded Sykes and Sharpwell in a breath.
"Because Mrs. Orville has no sheep," returned Mrs. Milder, quietly.
"Well, now, was there ever such a place as this is coming to be? No one can believe a thing unless they see it with their own eyes," exclaimed Mrs. Sykes, in an indignant tone. "I'm sure I heard Dutton had got a lamb for Christmas; and how could the poor critter come by it unless he stole it somewhere; and as Mrs. Orville lives alone, I thought likely he would take advantage of that, and steal it from her, for I didn't know but what she kept sheep."
"Very natural, Mrs. Sykes, that you should thus suppose," chimed in Miss Jerusha. "No one questions your honor or veracity. But what were you saying, Miss Gaddie? I thought you were speaking of Mrs. Orville's daughter that went off south a year or two ago."
"I was merely remarking that Mrs. Orville received a letter from Alice last week, and sis, who used to be acquainted with her, called to inquire after her welfare."
"Well, what did she hear?" asked Miss Sharpwell.
"Not much, did you, sis?" asked the elder Miss Gaddie of her younger sister.
"No, I didn't hear much, but I see enough," answered that interesting miss.
"Lord bless us, child!" exclaimed Miss Jerusha. "What did you see?"
"Why, Mrs. Orville was blubbering like a baby when I entered, but she tried to hush up after a while."