2 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
“No, Tommy’s all right — they were gathering in the 
last stack as I came by.”’ 
“Tammy hasn’t gone in swimming again down to the 
erick with the Connor boys?” 
“Nope, he’s stopped behind at the Centre to tend store 
for Mr. Sims, ’cause his horse got loose in Deacon Mason’s 
orchard and ate himself into the colic!” 
“Billy hasn’t fell off the fish-market roof, has he? 
Your pa took him there this mornin’ to help hand up 
shingles, though ’twas against my wishes.” 
” said Sarah, who 
had recovered her breath by this time and was beginning 
to laugh. ‘“ What makes you always think worry? Pa is 
all right, and Mary and Ruth are helping the minister’s 
wife get the hall ready for the cake sale, and I’m here, so 
you see there’s nothing the matter with us.” 
“Think worry!” exclaimed grandma, now settling her 
glasses again and preparing to hear the news comfortably 
so long as neither her son nor his children, to whom she 
was both grandmother and mother, were in danger, “ wait 
until your only son’s wife dies and leaves you to keep track 
“No, grandma, Billy’s all right, too, 
of six children, with as mixed tempers and complexions as 
ducks, chickens, and turkeys all in one brood, and I guess 
you'll think worry too. But why don’t you fetch out your 
news?— Not but what you are all good and promising 
enough in your way,” she added hastily, lest she should be 
found belittling her own flesh and blood, which she con- 
sidered next to breaking the whole ten commandments. 
“Well, granny,” began Sarah, bringing out her words 
slowly, and satisfied that the old lady’s expectations were 
sufficiently raised and that she would have an attentive 
