XIV. A Danger Averted

           Anne,walkinghomefromthepostofficeoneFridayevening,wasjoinedbyMrs.Lynde,whowasasusualcumberedwithallthecaresofchurchandstate.

           “I’vejustbeendowntoTimothyCotton’stoseeifIcouldgetAliceLouisetohelpmeforafewdays,”shesaid.“Ihadherlastweek,for,thoughshe’stooslowtostopquick,she’sbetterthannobody.Butshe’ssickandcan’tcome.Timothy’ssittingthere,too,coughingandcomplaining.He’sbeendyingfortenyearsandhe’llgoondyingfortenyearsmore.Thatkindcan’tevendieandhavedonewithit...theycan’tsticktoanything,eventobeingsick,longenoughtofinishit.They’reaterribleshiftlessfamilyandwhatistobecomeofthemIdon’tknow,butperhapsProvidencedoes.”

           Mrs.LyndesighedasifsheratherdoubtedtheextentofProvidentialknowledgeonthesubject.

           “MarillawasinabouthereyesagainTuesday,wasn’tshe?Whatdidthespecialistthinkofthem?”shecontinued.

           “Hewasmuchpleased,”saidAnnebrightly.“Hesaysthereisagreatimprovementinthemandhethinksthedangerofherlosinghersightcompletelyispast.Buthesaysshe’llneverbeabletoreadmuchordoanyfinehand-workagain.Howareyourpreparationsforyourbazaarcomingon?”

           TheLadies’AidSocietywaspreparingforafairandsupper,andMrs.Lyndewastheheadandfrontoftheenterprise.

           “Prettywell...andthatremindsme.Mrs.Allanthinksitwouldbenicetofixupaboothlikeanold-timekitchenandserveasupperofbakedbeans,doughnuts,pie,andsoon.