Squire Dixon frowned, and Mrs. Fogson looked anything but maternal as she scowled at the offending "boarder."
"I am surprised at this unseemly interruption," said Squire Dixon severely. "I am constrained to believe that there is at least one person present who does not appreciate the privileges of this happy home. You are probably all aware that I am the Overseer of the Poor, and that it was through my agency that the services of Mr. and Mrs. Fogson were obtained."
Here it would have been in order for some one to propose "Three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Fogson," but instead all looked gloomy and depressed.
"I don't know that I have any more to say," concluded Squire Dixon after a pause. "I will only exhort you to do your duty in the position in which Providence has placed you, and to give as little trouble as possible to your good friends Mr. and Mrs. Fogson."
Here there was another cackling laugh, which caused Mrs. Fogson to look angry.
"I'm on to you, Sally Stokes," she said sharply. "You'll have to go without your supper to-night."
The poor, half-witted creature immediately burst into tears, and rocked to and fro in a dismal manner.
"You have done perfectly right in rebuking such unseemly behavior, Mrs. Fogson," said Squire Dixon.
"I didn't mind the insult to myself, squire," returned Mrs. Fogson meekly. "It made me angry to have you insulted while you were making your interesting remarks. The paupers are very ill-behaved; I give you my word that I slave for them from morning till night, and you see how I am repaid."