Statira said, "I think it's been a very warm fall," and 'Manda Grier
said, "I think the summer's goin' to spend the winter with us," and
they all three laughed.
"What speeches you do make, 'Manda Grier," said Statira.
"Well, anything better than Quaker meetin', _I_ say," retorted
'Manda Grier; and then they were all three silent, and Lemuel
thought of his clothes, and how fashionably both of the girls were
dressed.
"I guess," said Statira, "it'll be a pretty sickly winter, if it
keeps along this way. They say a green Christmas makes a fat grave-
yard."
"I guess you'll see the snow fly long before Christmas," said 'Manda
Grier, "or Thanksgiving either."
"I guess so too," said Lemuel, though he did not like to seem to
take sides against Statira.
She laughed as if it were a good joke, and said, "'Tain't but about
a fortnight now till Thanksgiving anyway."
"If it comes a good fall of snow before Thanksgivin', won't you come
round and give us a sleigh-ride, Mr. Barker?" asked 'Manda Grier.
They all laughed at her audacity, and Lemuel said, Yes, he would;
and she said, "We'll give you a piece of real Willoughby Centre
Mince-pie, if you will."
They all laughed again.
"'Manda Grier!" said Statira, in protest.
"Her folks sent her half a dozen last Thanksgivin'," persisted
'Manda Grier.
"'_Manda!_" pleaded Statira.
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