"Come, Emily," said Mr. Sewell, "your hens will all go to roost on the wrong perch if you are not at home to see to them; so, if the Captain will set us across to Harpswell, I think we may as well be going."
"Why, what's your hurry?" said Mrs. Kittridge.
"Well," said Mr. Sewell, "firstly, there's the hens; secondly, the pigs; and lastly, the cow. Besides I shouldn't wonder if some of Emily's admirers should call on her this evening,—never any saying when Captain Broad may come in."
"Now, brother, you are too bad," said Miss Emily, as she bustled about her bonnet and shawl. "Now, that's all made up out of whole cloth. Captain Broad called last week a Monday, to talk to you about the pews, and hardly spoke a word to me. You oughtn't to say such things, 'cause it raises reports."
"Ah, well, then, I won't again," said her brother. "I believe, after all, it was Captain Badger that called twice."
"Brother!"
"And left you a basket of apples the second time."
"Brother, you know he only called to get some of my hoarhound for Mehitable's cough."
"Oh, yes, I remember."
"If you don't take care," said Miss Emily, "I'll tell where you call."