"We are not all narrow," returned Mr. Soffy, even more pleasantly as he noticed Venna's evident approval.
Meantime, out in the storm, returning from some parish calls, were Miss Mary and Miss Harriet in their buggy. As they neared Mrs. Hadly's home, both peered out curiously.
"All the shades are drawn. I wonder what's going on inside," remarked Mary.
"I've a good mind to drop in accidentally and see for myself," returned Miss Harriet briskly. "You just hold the reins, Mary."
For an old lady, she was unusually spry. She jumped from her carriage and ascended the steps with her head held high. Sharply she rang the bell. Stella opened rather cautiously. She didn't like the tone of the bell.
"Oh, it's you, Miss Haskell, is it? Come right in," said Stella.
"Who did you think it was?" queried Miss Harriet suspiciously.
"I don't know," returned Stella nervously. "They're all in the living room. Go right in, Miss Haskell."
"All! Who's all?" thought Miss Harriet.
But she lost no time in conjecture. She reached the door of the sitting-room, and there she stood, dum-founded. "She could hardly believe her senses," she told Miss Mary afterwards.