Noon. "I shall think it quite uncivil of Little Ugly if she does not volunteer to arrange my share of the booty I am bringing, now that I have almost broken my neck, and quite my cane, to obtain it." This I said to myself, as I came into the house by the kitchen entrance, and proceeded to deposit my trailing treasures on Norah's table, by the side of a yellow squash.
"Do go with me to Captain Black's," said Etty's voice at the side door. "The old folks have not seen you since your return."
"I can't!" said Flora with a drawl.
"Yes, do! Be coaxable, for once!"
"It only makes me obstinate to coax. Why not go without me, I beg?"
"I am no novelty. I was in twice only yesterday. Old people like attention from such as you, because—"
"Because it is unreasonable to expect it."
"The old man is failing."
"I can't do him any good. It is dusty, and my gown is long."
"It would please him to see you. I went to sit with him yesterday, but Timothy Digfort came in, with the same intent. So I went to church, having walked in the graveyard till the bell rang."