"O, father, now do," said Grace.
"I won't, neither," said Uncle Lot, as he sallied out of the house, and took the road to Comfort Scran's store.
In half an hour he returned again; and fumbling in his pocket, and drawing forth a candlestick, levelled it at Grace.
"There's your candlestick."
"But, father, I said I wanted two."
"Why, can't you make one do?"
"No, I can't; I must have two."
"Well, then, there's t'other; and here's a fol-de-rol for you to tie round your neck." So saying, he bolted for the door, and took himself off with all speed. It was much after this fashion that matters commonly went on in the brown house.
But having tarried long on the way, we must proceed with the main story.
James thought Miss Grace was a glorious girl; and as to what Miss Grace thought of Master James, perhaps it would not have been developed had she not been called to stand on the defensive for him with Uncle Lot. For, from the time that the whole village of Newbury began to be wholly given unto the praise of Master James, Uncle Lot set his face as a flint against him—from the laudable fear of following the multitude. He therefore made conscience of stoutly gainsaying every thing that was said in his behalf, which, as James was in high favor with Aunt Sally, he had frequent opportunities to do.