"Did he say he was going to the Widow Wild's residence?" asked the Professor.
"Yes; to dun her for a debt."
"If my identity was merged in that of M. T. Pate, I would be afraid to venture within a hundred yards of the widow's house."
"Why?"
"I sat by her side in the court-room, and heard her declaration of war against M. T. Pate."
"He denounced her terribly in his speech to the jury."
"And she denounced him terribly in her speech to me."
"I wish Tom Seddon was here; we might send him to witness the interview between the widow and M. T. Pate."
"His absence is to be deplored. Ida has done the sect of Funny Philosophers great injury by carrying off one of its most efficient members, who is so much needed in this emergency. But when that young lady returned to Bella Vista she took Mr. Seddon's heart with her; and, of course, it was not to be expected that he should exist in one locality, and that important organ, which is supposed to be the seat of vitality, in another."
The Professor here proceeded to animadvert on the conduct of young ladies in appropriating other people's hearts, and was making sundry remarks on the subject, when he was interrupted by Toney, who exclaimed,—