The reverend gentleman gravely complied, whereupon the maid swung herself around, but with caution, somewhat after the manner of a boat carrying too much sail.

After Mrs. Van Stark had come down, the parlor maid reappeared without her badges of office, and was duly presented to the rector of the church, who made no sign, save a twinkle of his eye, of having met her in another, and humbler capacity, but shook hands and talked to her without that insufferable air of patronage which elder people at times seem to delight to bestow upon their juniors.

As he was taking his leave, he explained that he was going down into the grove for a little while to read and to take pictures.

As he went out, they met, coming in, an old lady whom Grandmother Van Stark greeted with rare cordiality, kissing her on both cheeks and calling her Tildy Ann.  She called grandmother Jane Somerset, and explained that her son, going to town, had brought her that far on his way, and would call for her on his return.

She had brought her knitting in a beautiful silk bag, and explained that she was making a long purse of black silk and steel beads, for the sale at the church.

Beth brought grandmother’s bag down to her, and grandmother produced silk stockings that she was knitting for the same purpose.

They sat down for a comfortable chat, and Beth, feeling that it was too prehistoric an atmosphere for her, by and by stole up-stairs to the attic and went on a rummage for old clothes in which to dress up.

She found an old figured silk gown, with short sleeves.  By much rolling up and pinning, she made the skirt the right length.  Then she pulled out an old green silk calash and set it on her head.  This she felt was a finishing touch, so she softly crept down the stairs and past the old ladies, who had entirely forgotten her, and out on the lawn; then she walked down the circular driveway and out into the road, where presently the clergyman, striding along to where his pony was tied, overtook her.

He looked with astonishment at the quaint little figure in the silk frock, but when the disguised parlor maid looked out from the depths of the great bonnet, he went off into peals of laughter again.

“You seem to laugh a great deal,” said Beth.

He at once stopped and said: 

“It is a weakness of mine, and now let me beg a favor of you.  Will you come back to the porch, and sit in a Chippendale chair, and let me take your picture for the sale at the church?”

“Yes, I don’t mind at all,” said Beth promptly, turning around and putting her hand in his.  “You see Mrs. Tildy Ann and grandmother were having such a long-way-back time, I had to dress up to match everything.”

“I see,” said the minister.  “But she may presently miss you and be worried.”

“O that’s so,” said Beth.  “Let’s hurry.  I promised to take care of grandmother,” she added, in a remorseful tone.