“But,” continued Mrs. Ross, “it is worrying to my nerves to have company.”
“Then I shouldn’t think you’d invite those fashionable people from New York and Philadelphia,” said Obed, slyly.
“Plague take him!” thought Mrs. Ross; “won’t he take a hint? I shall have to speak more plainly. Indeed,” said she, “I was surprised you should come in upon us without writing, or inquiring whether it would be convenient for us to receive you.”
“I begin to understand,” said Uncle Obed. “I ain’t welcome here.”
“Well, you can stay a few days, if you desire it,” said Mrs. Ross, “but you will be much happier in your old home than here.”
“I ought to be the best judge of that, Lucindy,” said the old man, with dignity.
“Perhaps not. People can’t always judge best for themselves.”
“Perhaps not; but I am going to try the experience of staying here a while.”
“I have already told you that it will not be convenient for you to stay here. Colonel Ross will pay your fare back to Illinois, and that, I am sure, is quite as much as he ought to do.”
“Lucindy,” said Uncle Obed, “you seem to have forgotten the years I freely helped you and your poor mother. However, if you don’t care to remember them, I won’t refer to them.”