"What do you want to find out for? What ails him?"
"Suppose he hasn't done nothing"—said the Squire,—"is that the sort o' man to teach litteratur in Pattaquasset?"
"Lit—what?" said his sister with an arch of her head.
"Anything you've a mind to," said the Squire sulkily.
"I wouldn't say anything against Mr. Linden's literature, if I was you; because it's my belief, Sam, it'll stand any pecking you make at it. What's given you such a spite at him? You're a goodnatured fellow enough in general."
"The whole temperature of Pattaquasset's come about since he come," replied the Squire comprehensively.
"He's a gentleman!" said Miss Cilly bridling again. "He won't hurt anybody's manners—not the best—if they was to copy him."
"He didn't hurt mine," said Joe patronizingly. "To be sure I didn't go to him long."
"Do the boys like him, Joe?"
"Well I daresay they wouldn't if they could help it," said Joe, "if that's any comfort. Some other folks likes him too,—besides Sam."