“But you, ma’am—she believes in and likes you. Many a time she’s come to me, years ago, and told me how you’ve scolded and found fault with her about her manners, and when I’ve said you were very cantankerous—”
“Oh, you said that of me, did you, Denton?”
“Yes, ma’am, to speak the truth, I have said so; but she always spoke up for you, and said you talked to her like a mother.”
“Yes, Denton; I tried to.”
“Then,” cried the old woman fiercely, “why don’t you talk to her like a mother now, and save the poor child from such a terrible fate.”
“You think it will be a terrible fate, Denton?”
“Do you believe in young men who can’t keep from the drink now, and who make the poor old house smell of whiskey from top to bottom, mending because they’ve got pretty young wives?”
“I want to be charitable, Denton.”
“Then prove it, ma’am, by saving my poor dear young lady from being the wife of a sot.”
“Is anything the matter, Mrs Hampton?” said Gertrude.