Mr. Tripp himself waited upon her; Mrs. Greene generally had some item of news, and for this he possessed a keen relish.
“Any news, Mrs. Greene?” he asked, as he handed her the package of butter.
“I suppose you’ve heard that the widder Rand has lost her boarder?”
“You don’t say so!” returned Silas, with genuine interest.
“Yes, it’s so. I saw her go off myself yesterday afternoon, bag and baggage.”
“Was she dissatisfied, do you think?”
“Like as not. The widder says she’s comin’ back, but I don’t believe it. Between you and me, Mr. Tripp, I wonder that she stayed so long. Now, if she had been boardin’ with you it would have been different.”
“So it would, Mrs. Greene; so it would. I would have been willing to take her just to oblige.”
“So would I, Mr. Tripp. The widder charged her a ridiculous price—eight dollars a week.”
“It was extortionate. I never charged such a price.”