I sent back word that I thought we had better go on Thursday . I had no particular objection to Tuesday , but Melissa is rather fond of settling things without consulting anyone else , and I do n't believe in always letting her have her own way . Melissa is my cousin and we have always been good friends , and I am really very fond of her ; but there 's no sense in lying down and letting yourself be walked over . We finally compromised on Wednesday . I always have a feeling of dread when I hear of any new church-project for which money will be needed , because I know perfectly well that Melissa and I will be sent round to collect for it . People say we seem to be able to get more than anybody else ; and they appear to think that because Melissa is an unencumbered old maid , and I am an unencumbered widow , we can spare the time without any inconvenience to ourselves . Well , we have been canvassing for building funds , and socials , and suppers for years , but it is needed now ; at least , I have had enough of it , and I should think Melissa has , too . We started out bright and early on Wednesday morning , for Jersey Cove is a big place and we knew we should need the whole day . We had to walk because neither of us owned a horse , and anyway it 's more nuisance getting out to open and shut gates than it is worth while . It was a lovely day then , though promising to be hot , and our hearts were as light as could be expected , considering the disagreeable expedition we were on . I was waiting at my gate for Melissa when she came , and she looked me over with wonder and disapproval . I could see she thought I was a fool to dress up in my second best flowered muslin and my very best hat with the pale pink roses in it to walk about in the heat and dust ; but I was n't . All my experience in canvassing goes to show that the better dressed and better looking you are the more money you 'll get -- that is , when it 's the men you have to tackle , as in this case . If it had been the women , however , I would have put on the oldest and ugliest things , consistent with decency , I had . This was what Melissa had done , as it was , and she did look fearfully prim and dowdy , except for her front hair , which was as soft and fluffy and elaborate as usual . I never could understand how Melissa always got it arranged so beautifully . Nothing particular happened the first part of the day . Some few growled and would n't subscribe anything , but on the whole we did pretty well . If it had been a missionary subscription we should have fared worse ; but when it was something touching their own comfort , like cushioning the pews , they came down handsomely . We reached Daniel Wilson 's by noon , and had to have dinner there .
We did n't eat much , although we were hungry enough -- Mary Wilson 's cooking is a by-word XXXXX Jersey Cove .
If as at because in of on than that to