“Hung?” he muttered. “I wish, by godfreys mighty, I had the hangin' of SOME folks! I'd put a tighter collar on 'em than they've got now, I bet you!”
The minister's lips twitched. He knew what was coming. Hints of a surprising nature had been circulating about Trumet.
“What's the matter, Mr. Pepper?” he asked.
“Matter? Matter enough! You know what she's goin' to do? She's goin' to marry THAT!”
The last word was emphasized by a furious gesticulation toward the back of the gentleman from Sandwich.
“Who? Mr. Pratt? Is your sister to marry him? Indeed! I congratulate them both—and you.”
“Me? What in tunket—I ask your pardon, Mr. Ellery, for talkin' so in the meetin' house—but what are you congratulatin' me for?”
“Why, because your sister is to have a good husband; at least people speak highly of him.”
“Ugh!”
“And because—well, Mr. Pepper, you have been quite confidential with me; we have shared secrets, you know; and I thought possibly the new arrangement might make it a bit more pleasant for you.”