“I never did until in recent years. The pastor we had a few years back, in ’65, I think it was, told me that there was much in him that would repay me and I have found it so. I sometimes think that we of the last century were narrow. It came about from our isolation. The easier modes of getting about have made us better acquainted with our world neighbours.”
I signalled to Ethel and we again rose.
“Do you feel that you must go?” said Mrs. Hartlett. “I thank you for coming and I am sorry that I cannot offer you something in the way of refreshment but my granddaughter has gone to town and I find that it does not do for me to try to handle cups and saucers and glasses for my old wrists are tired of service and they play me strange tricks.”
We shook hands with the old lady and as we came away she said:
“When you can find nothing better worth doing come and see me.”
“Well, she is the real thing,” said I as we got out of hearing.
“Ninety-nine years young and growing younger every year. Think of her hobnobbing with a play actor. I wonder who he was.”
“Why, but aren’t actors all right?” asked Ethel.
“Yes, they are if they are, but you don’t know what it meant for her, brought up as she had been, to acknowledge that an actor might be a good man. It showed great independence of mind.”
“What poise she had,” said Ethel.