"That's more than you can say for his sister. Cilly Dennison gives herself so many airs, it's altogether too much for plain country folks. I should like to know what she thinks herself. It's a'most too much for my stomach to see her flourishing that watch and chain."
"What's the use of troubling yourself about other people's notions?" said Mr. Van Brunt. "If folks want to take the road, let them have it. That's my way. I am satisfied, provided they don't run me over."
" 'Tain't my way, then, I'd have you to know," said Miss
Fortune; "I despise it! And 'tain't your way, neither, Van
Brunt; what did you give Tom Larkens a cowhiding for?"
" 'Cause he deserved it, if ever a man did," said Mr. Van Brunt, quite rousing up; "he was treating that little brother of his'n in a way a boy shouldn't be treated; and I am glad I did it. I gave him notice to quit before I laid a finger on him. He warn't doing nothing to me."
"And how much good do you suppose it did?" said Miss Fortune, rather scornfully.
"It did just the good I wanted to do. He has seen fit to let little Billy alone ever since."
"Well, I guess I'll let the Dennisons come," said Miss Fortune; "that makes twelve and you and your mother are fourteen. I suppose that man Marshchalk will come dangling along after the Hitchcocks."
"To be sure he will; and his aunt, Miss Janet, will come with him, most likely."
"Well there's no help for it," said Miss Fortune. "That makes sixteen."
"Will you ask Miss Alice?"