"I confess it is an improvement upon the ancestral style," said
Armstrong.
"I expected the acknowledgment from your natural taste, which is excellent," said the Judge laughing, "except when corrupted by traditional prejudices. I must take care of my horse myself, I suspect," he added, as they drove up to the door: "the men are probably all in the fields. He will stand, however, well enough under this shed." So saying, and after Armstrong had alighted at the door, he drove the horse under a shed, near the barn, and fastened him; then joining Armstrong, the two entered the house.
"La, Judge!" said Mrs. Perkins, the farmer's wife who received them, smoothing down her check apron, "you take us by surprise to-day. We didn't expect you, and the men-folks is all in the lot. Didn't you find your ride very warm?"
"Not very; and if it had been, the pleasure of seeing you, Mrs.
Perkins, would more than compensate for any annoyance from the heat."
"You are so polite, Judge," replied Mrs. Perkins, simpering. "I declare you are equal to a Frenchman."
With all his French education, this was a remark the Judge would have been willing to dispense with; however on the French principle of considering that as a compliment, the meaning of which is equivocal, he bowed and introduced Mr. Armstrong.
Mrs. Perkins courtesied. "She'd heard," she said, "of Mr. Armstrong, and that he had the handsomest daughter, in the town of Hillsdale."
"It is your turn now," whispered the Judge. "Let me see how you will acquit yourself."
But Armstrong was not a man for compliments.
"Faith looks as well as young ladies generally I believe," he said.