It hain’t no matter at all if he hain’t dressed up; of course he wuzn’t expectin’ company. Josiah don’t dress up mornin’s.”
And then he says something about “he didn’t know but he was engaged.”
Says I, “That hain’t no news to me, nor the Nation. We have been a-hearin’ that for three years, right along. And if he is engaged, it hain’t no good reason why he shouldn’t speak to other wimmen,—good, honorable married ones too.”
“Well,” says he, finally, “I will take up your card.”
“No, you won’t!” says I, firmly. “I am a Methodist! I guess I can start off on a short tower without takin’ a pack of cards with me. And if I had ’em right here in my pocket, or a set of dominoes, I shouldn’t expect to take up the time of the President of the United States a-playin’ games at this time of the day.” Says I, in deep tones, “I am a-carrien’ errents to the President that the world knows not of.”
He blushed up red; he was ashamed; and he said, “he would see if I could be admitted.”
I was jest a-thinkin’ this when the hired man came back, and said,—
“The President would receive me.”
“Wall,” says I, calmly, “I am ready to be received.”