VALLEY

CHAPTER VTHE ADVENT OF MARY VANCE"^T^HIS is just the sort of day you feel as if thingsJL might happen," said Faith, responsive to thelure of crystal air and blue hills. She hugged herselfwith delight and danced a hornpipe on old HezekiahPollock's bench tombstone, much to the horror of twoancient maidens who happened to be driving past justas Faith hopped on one foot around the stone, wavingthe other and her arms in the air."And that," groaned one ancient maiden, "is ourminister's daughter.""What else could you expect of a widower'sfamily ?" groaned the other ancient maiden. And thenthey both shook their heads.It was early on Saturday morning and the Meredithswere out in the dew-drenched world with a delightfulconsciousness of the holiday. They had never hadanything to do on a holiday. Even Nan and Di Blythehad certain household tasks for Saturday mornings,but the daughters of the manse were free to roam fromTheblushing morn to dewy eve if so it pleased them. Itdid please Faith, but Una felt a secret, bitter humiliationbecause they never learned to do anything.other girls in her class at school could cook and sewand knit ;she only was a littleignoramus.43