"That's just what I was going to do," growled Golcher, annoyed by the broad grin that illuminated Caucasian and American faces alike.
"You know it's a falsehood," replied Aunt Peggy, in the same peppery style; "you're too mean ever to think of anything decent and Christian-like, you vagabond—oh-h-h-h, how I ache to get hold of you!"
The Tory fought rather shy of her, for in sooth she was a lady to be dreaded.
Eva Brainerd walked straight to where her father sat, and said:
"Papa, I shall not eat a mouthful until you do."
"I can't eat very conveniently with my hands tied behind me, but I shall never consent to devour that and allow you to go hungry."
"But I can get more of Aunt Peggy."
"Perhaps so and perhaps not."
"Then we will eat it between us. There, you take a bite and I will do the same, and we will keep it up until nothing is left."
"That is a good arrangement," replied her parent, smiling at the ingenuity of the affectionate child, and complying with her request.