“Well, I don't know as we shall do it,” said Statira, as if feeling his tacit reluctance.
'Manda Grier came in just then, and cast a glance of friendly satire at them. “Well, I declare!” she said, for all recognition of the situation.
Lemuel made an offer to rise, but Statira would not let him. “I guess 'Manda Grier won't mind it much.”
“I guess I can stand it if you can,” said 'Manda Grier; and this seemed such a witty speech that they all laughed, till, as Statira said, she thought she should die. They laughed the more when 'Manda Grier added dryly, “I presume you won't want your boneset now.” She set the vessel she had brought it up in on the stove, and covered it with a saucer. “I do' know as I should if I was in your place. It's kind o' curious I should bring both remedies home with me at once.” At this they all laughed a third time, till 'Manda Grier said, “'Sh! 'sh! Do you want to raise the roof?”
She began to bustle about, and to set out a little table, and cover it with a napkin, and as she worked she talked on. “I guess if you don't want any boneset tea, a little of the other kind won't hurt any of us, and I kinder want a cup myself.” She set it to steep on the stove, and it went through Lemuel's mind that she might have steeped the boneset there too, if she had thought of it; but he did not say anything, though it seemed a pretty good joke on 'Manda Grier. She ran on in that way of hers so that you never could tell whether she really meant a thing or not. “I guess if I have to manage many more cases like yours, S'tira Dudley, I shall want to lay in a whole chest of it. What do you think, Mr. Barker?”
“Mr. Barker!” repeated Statira.
“Well, I'm afraid to say Lemuel any more, for fear he'll fly off the handle, and never come again. What do you think, Mr. Barker, of havin' to set at that window every Sunday for the last three weeks, and keep watch of both sidewalks till you get such a crick in your neck, and your eyes so set in your head, you couldn't move either of 'em?”
“Now, 'Manda Grier!” said Statira from Lemuel's shoulder.
“Well, I don't say I had to do it, and I don't say who the young man was that I was put to look out for——”
“'Manda!”