"Were you saying anything to me, Aunt Nancy?"
"'Was I saying anything to you, Aunt Nancy?' Yes I was! I was asking you what's the matter?"
"Oh! I never was so dreadfully low-spirited in my life, Aunt Nancy."
"And what should a young man like you have to make him feel low-spirited, I should like to know? Moping about Marian, I shouldn't wonder. The girl is a good girl enough, if she'd only mind her own business, and not let people spoil her. And if you do like her, and must have her, why I shan't make no further objections."
Here the young doctor turned shortly around and stared at his aunt in astonishment!
"Hem!" said Miss Nancy, looking confused, "well, yes, I did oppose it once, certainly, but that was because you were both poor."
"And we are both poor still, for aught that I can see, and likely to continue so."
"Hish-ish! no you're not! leastways, she's not. I've got something very strange to tell you," said Miss Nancy, mysteriously drawing her chair up close to her nephew, and putting her lips to his ear, and whispering—"Hish-ish!"
"'Hish-ish!' What are you 'hish-ish'ing for, Aunt Nancy, I'm not saying anything, and your breath spins into a fellow's ear enough to give him an ear-ache!" said Dr. Solomon, jerking his head away.
"Now then listen—Marian Mayfield has got a fortune left to her."