"The editor, he laughed quite a little, and then he looked thoughtful. He was new and from the City and young and real nervous—he used to pop onto his feet whenever a woman so much as come in the room.
"'Who would collect the ten cents?' says he.
"'Sodality,' says Mis' Toplady, firm. 'Ourself, cash an' in advance.'
"The editor nodded, still smiling.
"'Jove,' he said, 'this fits in remarkably well with the fishing I've been thinking about. I confess I need a day. I suppose you wouldn't want to do it this week?'
"Mis' Toplady looked at me with her eyebrows. But I nodded. I always rather hurry up than not.
"'So be we had a couple o' hours to get the news to happenin',' says she, 'that had ought to do us.'
"The editor looked startled.
"'News!' said he. 'Oh, I say now, you mustn't expect too much. I ought to warn you that running a paper in this town is like trying to raise cream on a cistern.'