“What for—mending?” said Jared.
“No, no; to back Mrs Ruggles in trying to get the appointment of pew-opener.”
“What! Mrs Ruggles?”
“Yes, dear,” exclaimed Mrs Jared, laying down her work.
“I’ll see her—”
“And if you will,” continued Mrs Jared, hastily interrupting her husband, whose glue was again in the fire, “he says that she will not mind the distance.”
“I shouldn’t think she would,” exclaimed Jared. “Why, she’d scourge us all. Why, I hate her and she hates me, and has done ever since I spoke about her ill-using the little one. Why, before I’d stir a step to get the nasty old cat the post, I’d—”
“And Mr Ruggles says, if you would speak for her, he thinks her having occupation away would make it pleasanter for those at home, and little Pine would be more left to him; and it would be conferring an obligation upon him that he would never forget.”
“Bother the fellow! why did he put it like that, so as to make a man eat his words? Why, I hate to see the nasty one-sided looks of the woman; and I know if I help her into the church, she’ll do me an ill turn for it some time or other.”
“Nonsense,” cried Mrs Jared. “Depend upon it the woman has some good qualities.”