CHAPTER IV.
The Smalley residence, where Mrs.Luretta Smalley, relict of the late Zenas T., accommodated a few "paying guests," was nearly a mile from the windmill shop and on the Orham "lower road." Mr.
Winslow and his new acquaintance took the short cuts, through by- paths and across fields, and the young lady appeared to have thoroughly recovered from her misgivings concerning the dark--in reality it was scarcely dusk--and her doubts concerning her ability to carry the "heavy" swordfish without help.

At all events she insisted upon carrying it alone, telling her companion that she thought perhaps he had better not touch it as it was so very, very brittle and might get broken, and consoling him by offering to permit him to carry Petunia, which fragrant appellation, it appeared, was the name of the doll.
"I named her Petunia after a flower," she explained.

"I think she looks like a flower, don't you ?" If she did it was a wilted one.

However, Miss Armstrong did not wait for comment on the part of her escort, but chatted straight on.

Jed learned that her mother's name was Mrs.Ruth Phillips Armstrong.