"Ain't it a pretty world the Lord's made? The 'firmament showeth his
handiwork,' don't it? Where are you going to, deary?"

"A place called Placid Pond," answered the girl, smiling back.

"_No?_ Well, I declare! That's where Emmeline Camp lives that was a
Jones an' spelt out o' my spellin'-book! If you see Emmeline, you tell
her you saw me on the cars. Emmeline and I have always kep' up our
interest in each other. She'll be tickled--you tell her I've learnt that
leaf-stitch at last! She'll understand!"

The thin, old voice tinkled on pleasantly in the Talentless One's ears.

"Come back here an' set with me, deary, an' I'll tell you which house is
Emmeline's, so, if you go past, you'll know it--it's painted green! Did
you ever! But Emmeline was always set on green. She was married in a
green silk, an' we girls said she married a green husband!"

T.O. laughed enjoyingly. She began to feel acquainted with Emmeline, and
to hope she should find the green house--perhaps it would be the
Eldorado house! Wonders happened sometimes.

"I don't suppose--there isn't a blue pump, is there? I've set my heart
on a blue pump!" she laughed, as if the little, old woman who knew
Emmeline would understand. The little, old woman smiled delightedly--as
if she understood!

"Dear land, no! I hope Emmeline ain't painted her pump blue--and her
livin' in a green house! But she'd go out an' do it--it would be just