“Is it that fine room fixed up with maple wood and blue calico, where the gals took me to take off my bonnet and wash my face and hands?”
“Yes, it is the same. Shall I show you the way?”
“Lord, no, ’oman! I ain’t a baby! But I reckon you may toss me in a nightgown and nightcap before you go to bed yourself, for, you know, I come here right from the church, and, of course, didn’t fetch any ’long o’ me.”
“I think you will find all those conveniences laid out on your bed,” said Mrs. Force.
“All right! Good-night, ole ’oman!” And she kissed Mrs. Force, to that lady’s dismay. “I’m sorry I had to make such a fuss in the church to-day, but I couldn’t help it, and it is all for the best. Good-night, ole man! Lord, why, I feel just as if I had knowed you all the days of my life, and you was my own kinfolks! So here goes!” And she stood on tiptoes and pulled down Mr. Force’s black-whiskered face and kissed him.
And he bore the punishment with much more fortitude than his wife had done.
Then the frank, rude, handsome creature, in whom there was no wickedness at all, took up her wax taper again, laughed, nodded and went out.
“Well, for a woman who has been robbed of her fortune and forsaken by her husband, she takes life quite cheerfully,” said Elfrida Force, with a touch of sarcasm in her manner.
“It is her healthy constitution and happy, animal spirits that enables her to do so,” said Abel Force, apologetically.
“She is very ill bred!” said Elfrida.