As they turned into Mason Street, Quincy exclaimed: "There's where
Uncle Ike's chicken coop stood until he set it on fire."
"Did he set it on fire?" cried Alice.
"Now I've let out another promised secret. Can you see 'Zeke's house
ahead?"
"Yes, how inviting the old place looks. I'm glad Hiram Maxwell has
it, for we can sit in the old parlour and sing duets as we used to."
"Now we're going up Obed's Hill," said Quincy. "Deacon Mason's house
looks as neat as ever."
"Do you remember when Huldah Mason broke her arm, Quincy?"
"Do not remind me of that, Alice. I was never in love with her, but
no one could help liking her. There's the grocery store in which I am
a silent partner"--he paused a moment--"and here we are at the
Hawkins House."
As Ellis Smith reined up, the front door was opened and Mrs. Hawkins
came out to meet her guests. "I got your letter, an' I know'd it was
you. How be ye both? Seems like old times. Come right in the parlour.
I've got the curtains down so as to keep it cool," and the delighted
woman led the way into the house. In the hallway, she screamed,
"Jonas! Jonas! Hurry up and pick those chickens. Guv'nor Sawyer and
Alice are here."
CHAPTER IV
THE HAWKINS HOUSE
The converting of Mrs. Hawkins' boarding house into a hotel had been
due to two causes: First, the thrift and economy of the lady herself,
which had enabled her to put by a good sum in the bank.
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