“Yes, poor woman, she’s been a great sufferer for a long time. I have been wanting to go to see her, but the stock is busy now, and then, too, I have not felt like riding. I get dizzy every time I get in a buggy.”
“You heard about Mrs. Bill McGregor, Mrs. Parks?”
“No; is it a boy or girl?”
“A ten-pound boy.”
“That’s fine! Five girls and three boys.
“Tell Mollie to come over. She needn’t wait on me. I’m getting too old to travel about much.”
“Thank you. You and George come.
“Well, I want to see the old man on a little business; I will just ride around there.”
Capt. Brown and Squire Parks were the best of neighbors and friends. Both were influential in political affairs and substantial business men. That morning they talked over a private matter and Capt. Brown turned and went back.
Dinner time came and no company arrived. The greens, the chicken and strawberry pies were all ready, but there was no one outside of the family circle to eat them.