"What strange people one does find in this world!" said Sophie, as I gave her the history of my defeat. "Now this Axtell family are past my comprehension."
"Ah! a family. I didn't think him a married man."
"Neither is he."
"Then what is the family?"
"The mother, a sister, and himself."
"Do you know the sister?"
"Just a little. She is the finest person in mind we have here, but wills to live alone, except she can do deeds of charity. I met her once in a poor farmer's house. The man had lost his wife. Such a soft, sweet glamour of comfort as she was winding in and out over his sorrow, until she actually had the poor fellow looking up with an expression that said he was grateful for the good gift Heaven had gained! She stopped as soon as I went in. I wish she would come out in Redleaf."
"And the mother?"
"A proud old lady, sick these many years, and, ever since we've been here, confined to her room. I've only seen her twice."
"And now she's dead?"