When Mrs.Field and Lois returned, all the women, at Mrs.Babcock's order, drew their chairs close together in the middle of the room.
"I've always heard that was the safest place," said she.

"That was the way old Dr.Barnes always used to do.

He had thirteen children; nine of 'em was girls.

Whenever he saw a thunder-shower comin' up, he used to make Mis' Barnes an' the children go into the parlor, an' then they'd all set in the middle of the floor, an' he'd offer prayer.

He used to say he'd do his part an' get in the safest place he knew of, an' then ask the Lord to help him.