"I like them very much, I assure you."
"There ain't no better ways than Shampuashuh ways," said uncle Tim. "If there be, I'd like to see 'em once. Lois, you never see a handsomer dinner'n this in New York, did you? Come now, and tell. Did you?"
"I never saw a dinner where things were better of their kind, uncle
Tim."
Mrs. Barclay smiled to herself. That will do, she thought.
"Is that an answer?" said uncle Tim. "I'll be shot if I know."
"It is as good an answer as I can give," returned Lois, smiling.
"Of course she has seen handsomer!" said Mrs. Marx. "If you talk of elegance, we don't pretend to it in Shampuashuh. Be thankful if what you have got is good, uncle Tim; and leave the rest."
"Well, I don't understand," responded uncle Tim. "Why shouldn't Shampuashuh be elegant, I don't see? Ain't this elegant enough for anybody?"
"'Tain't elegant at all," said Mrs. Marx. "If this was in one o' the elegant places, there'd be a bunch o' flowers in the pig's mouth, and a ring on his tail."
At the face which uncle Tim made at this, Lois's gravity gave way; and a perfect echo of laughter went round the table.