"Why, how do you know that?" Sam asked.
Mrs. Green nodded her head sideways in Sam's direction.
"He don't never hear nothing, Mr. Kirschner," she said. "With me the women folks schmooses all the time; and you could take it from me, Mr. Kirschner, they talk a whole lot more about what happens forty years ago as what happens last week already."
Max nodded as the store door opened and a woman of uncertain age entered.
"Good morning, Mis' Green," the newcomer said, her eyes glued on Max Kirschner. "I was just passin' by on my way to the depot and I remembered that I needed a spool of thread."
Mrs. Green passed behind the counter to reach the thread case.
"Going to Sarahcuse to-day, Mis' Duree?" she asked casually.
Mrs. Duryea blushed.
"I'm on my way to see my sister's little granddaughter," she explained; "she's just recovering from whooping cough."
"Would that be your sister Libby?" Max inquired.