"What made that young high-stepper next door go away?"
"I guess he wanted to get rid of his church. He acted as if he despised us."
"I guess he wanted to get rid of Chelda Gastonguay, and I guess Derrice and Justin helped him off. And what kind of a feeling do you suppose Miss Chelda has inside her when she sees her old aunt petting Derrice?"
"Well, why don't she keep out of their sight, if she don't like it?"
"That's where she's clever, my dear. A jealous woman's jealousy will slip into as many shapes as there are pebbles on the beach. Sometimes it's a sea-monster. Sometimes it's a sly little eel,—will you watch this particular eel?"
"Of course," she replied, in a tone that showed surprise that there should be any question about it.
He threw off his anxiety, and fell into an immediate ecstasy. "It's my belief, Hippolyta White, that there ain't one mite of happiness in the world for the average man till he gets one thing."
"What is it?" she asked, demurely.
"Some woman to boss just as he likes; none of your up-standing, high-headed creatures that won't bear a curb, but a nice, modest, good pink of perfection little creature just like—just like—"
"Like Derrice," continued his wife, with as roguish an accent as late middle age could attain.