"Oh, Mrs. Martin has been married before," observed Malcolm. He was rather surprised at this piece of intelligence.
"Lord love you, yes, sir; and when she became Josh Leggett's widow she just took up with me because she said she felt lonesome. She did it with her eyes open as I often tell her, but she has never got over the basement. It does not agree with her constitution, and it never will."
"I suppose Kit is Mrs. Martin's child?" asked Malcolm, as he digested this information.
Then Caleb gave a dry little laugh.
"Bless you, no, sir. Kezia never had any family. That was always a sore point with her. She said that was why she was so lonesome, and I believe she married me mostly on Kit's account. Oh, she has a good heart, has Ma'am," continued Caleb in his slow, ruminative way, "though she would talk a dozen men stupid, one after another, and be as fresh as paint herself." And with this graphic description of the second Mrs. Martin, Caleb touched his old hat and slouched away.
CHAPTER VI
YEA-VERILY AND BABS
We will have a swashing and a martial outside.
—As You Like It.
The direct influence of good women is the greatest of all forces under Divine Grace for making good men.
—KNOX LITTLE.