Sam. Encouragement! I should think as much. Yes I know your pa says that if he will run a little ahead of it when he is a settin’ it on to things, it will go on to one first rate. And I told him he had better take the pup in his arms and throw it at the hens mebby that would encourage it enough. But there they are; I must go and scare ’em off again.
Tirz. A. I’ll go mother. (She goes out clapping her hands and crying “Shoo; Shoo;” and the hens are heard cackling behind the scenes.)
Wid. D. Oh how much that pup makes me think of Doodle. My Doodle needed encouragement.
Tirz. A. (Coming back) Here comes Betsey Bobbett, mother.
Enter Betsey.
All Say. Good morning, Betsey.
Bet. (Sadly) Good morning, Miss Allen; good morning, Tirzah Ann; good morning, Widder Doodle. (She sits down and takes out her tatting and commences to work)
Sam. Hain’t you well to-day, Betsey?
Bet. I feel deprested to-day; awfully deprested.
Sam. What is the matter?