"There," said she, "you take this bowl, an' you be real careful and don't let it fall and break it, nor slop the stew over my best shawl, an' you carry it down the road to Doctor Prescott's; an' whoever comes to the door, whether it's the hired girl, or Lawrence, or the hired man, you ask to see Mis' Doctor Prescott.

Don't you give this bowl to none of the others, you mind.

An' when Mis' Doctor Prescott comes, you courtesy an' say, 'Good-mornin', Mis' Prescott.

Mis' Abel Edwards sends you her compliments, and hopes you're enjoyin' good health, an' begs you'll accept this bowl of parsnip stew.

She thought perhaps you hadn't had any this season.'" Mrs.Edwards repeated the speech in a little, fine, mincing voice, presumably the one which Elmira was to use.