"No--it would rest me--it is early yet--if I only had something to take!--I couldn't go without taking something----"
"A basket of eggs?" said Mrs. Rossitur.
"Can't, aunt Lucy--I can't spare them; so many of the hens are setting now.--A basket of strawberries!--that's the thing! I've got enough picked for that and to-night too. That will do!"
Fleda's preparations were soon made, and with her basket on her arm she was ready to set forth.
"If pride had not been a little put down in me," she said smiling, "I suppose I should rather stay at home than go with such a petty offering. And no doubt every one that sees it or hears of it will lay it to anything but the right reason. So much the world knows about the people it judges!--It is too bad to leave you all alone, aunt Lucy."
Mrs. Rossitur pulled her down for a kiss, a kiss in which how much was said on both sides!--and Fleda set forth, choosing as she very commonly did the old-time way through the kitchen.
"Off again?" said Barby, who was on her knees scrubbing the great flag-stones of the hearth.
"Yes, I am going up to see the donation party."
"Has the minister come?"
"No, but he is coming to-day, I understand."