"Even so. He left us all without a word for-for-how long is it? Seven years? Nearly eight years. And then comes back one day without warning, and expects us to welcome him."
"Is he nice?" asked Ruth.
"What do you mean by nice?" Bee asked, glad for once of Ruth's interest in the personal.
"Is he nice to look at? And does he talk nicely or has he a frightful accent?"
"He is exceedingly nice to look at, and he has no accent whatsoever."
"Where has he been all this time?" Eleanor asked.
"Mexico and the States, mostly."
"Mexico!" said Ruth. "How romantic! Does he wear a black sailor hat?"
"A what? No, of course he doesn't. He wears a hat like anyone else."
"How often have you seen him, Aunt Bee?" Eleanor asked.