"Guess I'll go for a walk," said Will, as he got up, stretched his arms, and yawned.
"I had hoped," sighed Mrs. Flint, regretfully, "that you would stay at home and meet the ladies."
"No, thank you, mother, I guess I'll be safer out-of-doors," he replied, with a laugh.
"Will," said Mrs. Flint, reprovingly.
"I beg your pardon, mother dear, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but—a houseful of women, it's impossible!"
Mrs. Flint suppressed another sigh. Since her son's return from college she could not accustom herself to his ways. She wanted to say, "Willie, be sure and return in time for dinner," but she realized that the boy had become a man, and remained silent.
"I'll be home in time for supper," said Will, as he took his hat and started for the door, then added, "Good luck, mother," and went out.
Mrs. Flint watched from the window, as he walked down the path and up the road, until he disappeared. She was about to turn away from the window when Mrs. Stout waddled into view, stopped in front of the parsonage, hailed Alick Purbeck, who was driving by, and the following conversation, which Mrs. Flint and all of her neighbours could hear, took place.
"How's your folks, Alick?" asked Mrs. Stout.