The Boarder

The big automobile that brought Isabel Souders to the Reist farmhouse
one day early in June brought with her a trunk, a suitcase, a bag, an
umbrella and a green parasol.

Aunt Rebecca was visiting there that day and she followed Amanda to the
front door to receive the boarder.

"My goodness," came the exclamation as the luggage was carried in, "is
that girl comin' here for good, with all _that_ baggage? And what
did you let her come here for on a Friday? That's powerful bad luck!"

"For me," thought Amanda as she went to meet Isabel.

"See," the newcomer pointed to her trunk, "I brought some of my
pretties along. I'll have to make hay while the sun shines. I'll have
to make the most of this opportunity to win the heart of some country
youth. Amanda, dear, wouldn't I be a charming farmer's wife? Can you
visualize me milking cows, for instance?"

"No," answered Amanda, "I'd say that you were cut out for a different
role." There was a deeper meaning in the country girl's words than the
flighty city girl could read.

"Just the same," went on the newcomer, "I'm going to have one wonderful
time in the country. You are such a dear to want me here and to take me
into the family. I want to do just all the exciting things one reads
about as belonging to life in the country. I am eager to climb trees
and chase chickens and be a regular country girl for a month."