SoMrs。KeithwasnotpopularwiththeSouthHarnissnatives，perhapsbecauseshetriedsohardtobe；herhusband，whoapparentlydidnottrytobe，was。Heandhisopinionswerelikedandrespected。Whenhecameintothestore，therefore，onthisoccasion，ZoethandShadwelcomedhim，askedhimtositdown，andtheconversationbeganwiththeastonishingriseinthepriceofsea-frontpropertyanddriftedfromthattoothertimelyandgeneraltopics。
JusthowitdriftedtoMary-’Gustaandherfutureneitherofthepartnerscouldhavetold——however，driftthereitdid，andtheyfoundthemselveschantingherpraisestotheircaller，whoseemedmuchinterested。
“Sheisaremarkablycapablegirl，“observedMr。Keith。“Andbeforewerealizeitshewillbeayoungwoman。Areyouplanningthatsheshallkeepstoreandkeephouseforyoutherestofherlife，ortherestofyours？“
Zoethshookhishead。“Why，“hesaid，mildly，“Idon’tknow’swe’veplannedmuchaboutitsofur。Thosethingssortoftakecareofthemselves，alwaysseemedtome。OrtheAlmightytakescareof’emforus。“
Theirvisitorsmiled。“Someoneelsewillbewillingandanxioustotakecareofherbeforemanyyears，orImissmyguess，“hesaid。