“I am sure,” she said, “that Thorbury people, for generations and generations, have lived on Thorbury cooking, and they have been just as healthy as any other people.”

“Ah, Kitty, Kitty!” exclaimed the old lady, “you forget how things have changed.  In times gone by the ladies of the household superintended all the cooking, and did a good deal of it besides; and they brought something into the kitchen that seldom gets into it now, and that is brains.  A cook with a complete set of brains might be pretty hard to get, and would cost a good deal of money.  But it is your duty, Kitty, to get as good a one as you can.  If she has only a tea-cup full of brains, it will be better than none at all.  Don’t mind the cost.  If you have to do it, spend more on cooking, and less on raw material.”

This was all Miss Panney had to say on the subject, and shortly she departed.

After brief stops at the post-office and one or two shops, she drove to the abode of the Bannisters.  Miss Panney tied her roan to the hitching-post by the sidewalk, and went up the smooth gravel path to the handsome old house, which she had so often visited, to confer on her own affairs and those of the world at large with the father and the grandfather of the present Bannister, attorney-at-law.

She and the house were all that were left of those old days.  Even the widow was the second wife, who had come into the family while Miss Panney was away from Thorbury.

Mrs. Bannister was not at home, but Miss Dora was, and that entirely satisfied the visitor.  When the blooming daughter of the house came hurrying into the parlor, Miss Panney, who had previously raised two of the window shades, gazed at her earnestly as she saluted her, and nodded her head approvingly.  Then the two sat down to talk.

They talked of several things, and very soon of the Cobhurst people.

“Oh, have you seen them?” exclaimed Dora.  “I have, but only for a minute at the station, and then I didn’t know who they were, though I was told afterward.  They seemed to be very nice.”

“They are,” said Miss Panney.  “The girl is bright, and young Mr. Haverley is an exceedingly agreeable gentleman, just the sort of man who should be the owner of Cobhurst.  He is handsome, well educated, and spirited.  I saw a good deal of him, for I spent the best part of yesterday there.  I should say that your brother would find him a most congenial neighbor.  There are so few young men hereabout who are worth anything.”

“That is true,” replied Dora, with a degree of earnestness, “and I know Herbert will be delighted.  I am sure he would call if he were here, but he is away, and doesn’t expect to be back for a week.”

It crossed Miss Panney’s mind that a week’s delay in a matter of this sort would not be considered a breach of courtesy, but she did not say so.

“It would be friendly if Mrs. Bannister and you were to call on the sister, before long,” she remarked.