Now, a certain lady with a noticeable green frock and a white
"drawn-in" cape bonnet had graced the Midnight Cry on its journey
from Limington to Saco on three occasions during the month of July.
Report said that she was a stranger who had appeared at the post-office
in a wagon driven by a small, freckled boy.
The first trip passed without comment; the second
provoked some discussion; on the occasion of the third,
Mrs. Todd said nothing, because there seemed nothing to say,
but she felt so out-of-sorts that she cut Jerry's hair close
to his head, though he particularly fancied the thin fringe
of curls at the nape of his neck.
Pel Frost went over to Todd's one morning to borrow an axe,
and seized a favorable opportunity to ask casually, "Oh, Mis'
Todd, did Jerry find out the name o' that woman in a green dress
and white bunnit that rid to Saco with him last week?"
"Mr. Todd's got something better to do than get acquainted
with his lady passengers," snapped Mrs. Todd, "'specially as they
always ride inside."
"I know they gen'ally do," said Pel, shouldering the axe
(it was for his mother's use), but this one rides up in front part o'
the way, so I thought mebbe Jerry 'd find out something 'bout her.
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