"Wall, there ain't much; and what there is, is done in the dark, like.
You won't find no rum-shops open."
"Indeed! How long has the town been so distinguished?"
"I guess it's five year. I know it is; for it was just afore we put in our last President. Then we voted liquor shouldn't be president in Shampuashuh."
"Do you get along any better for it?"
"Wall"—slowly—"I should say we did. There ain't no quarrellin', nor fightin', nor anybody took up for the jail, nor no one livin' in the poorhouse—'thout it's some tramp on his way to some place where there is liquor. An' he don't want to stay."
"What are those two figures yonder among the grass?" Mrs. Lenox now asked; she also having come out of the house in search of objects of interest, the interior offering none.
"Them?" said Mr. Sears. "Them's Lois and her aunt. Their baskets is gettin' heavy, too. I'll make the fire for ye, Miss Charity," he cried, lifting his voice; and therewith disappeared.
"What are they doing?" Mrs. Lenox asked, in a lower tone.
"Digging clams," Mrs. Barclay informed her.
"Digging clams! How do they dig them?"