"Joe," said Billy, "do you see that?"
"And Charley Shadders was guessing, then. He said snow wouldn't light on her stoop."
"There isn't but mighty little of it, and it didn't cost her anything."
But just at that moment Mrs. Sanders was resting on her broom, and looking very severely at Uncle Josh, and saying,
"Now, Deacon Parmenter, where are you going with those boys? Skates, too, at your time of life."
"Good-morning, Sister Sanders. I declare, if you'll go with us, I'll trot right back and get a pair of skates for you. I'd like to see a good-looking young woman like you—"
"Deacon Parmenter! Me? To go skating? With you and a couple of boys? I never!"
But she did not look half so angry as she did at first. She was a plump and rosy woman; but she had a pointed nose, and her lips were thin. Billy whispered to Joe Pearce, "Aunt Sally says it'd keep any woman's lips thin to work 'em as hard as Mrs. Sanders does hers."
They were almost smiling just now, for Uncle Josh went on: "Now, Sister Sanders, I know it's a little queer for an old fellow like me, but it's just the thing for young folks. Just you say the word, and you shall have 'em. You're looking nicely this morning, Sister Sanders."
"Billy," whispered Joe, "how red in the face Uncle Josh is getting!"