"Not very likely; but that would make it a little better."
Hetty went out to take a swing under the elm-tree, wondering why big people couldn't find something better to talk about than what other people wore. Then Jane spoke up:
"Hetty always hates to hear others spoken of when they can't take their own part."
"She's a good little thing, anyhow," said Matilda Ann, who was standing before the looking-glass, in high good humor, with the new bonnet on, and turning her head from side to side, so that she could the better survey the trimmings.
"Well," said Mrs. Hall, "you've stood there long enough, Matilda Ann. I never did see such an amazin' amount of vanity as there is nowadays."
"Oh, mother, I dare say you were just as silly when you were young," said Jane.
"No," said the mother, severely, "I never was given to fineries; my heart was set on higher things."
"I don't see, then, how father ever got the chance to do any courting."
"Jane," said Mrs. Hall, "Jedediah Hall would never have married me if I had been like the girls of the present day, who scorn to churn, and to wash, and to do housework of any sort. He respected a woman who could make her family comfortable."
"But the courting—did he ever talk nonsense, mother?"