“Has Jethro Bass ever been a member of the Legislature?” asked the storekeeper, for the sake of something to say.
“Never would take any office but Chairman of the Selectmen,” answered Moses, who apparently bore no ill will for his father's sake. “Jethro kind of fathers the Legislatur', I guess, though I don't take much stock in politics. Goes down sessions to see that they don't get too gumptious and kick off the swaddlin' clothes.”
“And—was that his wife?” Wetherell asked, hesitatingly.
“Aunt Listy, they call her. Nobody ever knew how he come to marry her. Jethro went up to Wisdom once, in the centre of the state, and come back with her. Funny place to bring a wife from—Wisdom! Funnier place to bring Listy from. He loads her down with them ribbons and gewgaws—all the shades of the rainbow! Says he wants her to be the best-dressed woman in the state. Callate she is,” added Moses, with conviction. “Listy's a fine woman, but all she knows is enough to say, 'Yes, Jethro,' and 'No, Jethro.'—Guess that's all Jethro wants in a wife; but he certainly is good to her.”
“And why has he come back before the Legislature's over?” said Wetherell.
“Cuttin' of his farms. Always comes back hayin' time. That's the way Jethro spends the money he makes in politics, and he hain't no more of a farmer than—” Moses looked at Wetherell.
“Than I'm a storekeeper,” said the latter, smiling.
“Than I'm a lawyer,” said Moses, politely.
They were interrupted at this moment by the appearance of Jake Wheeler and Sam Price, who came gaping out of the darkness of the store.
“Was that Jethro, Mose?” demanded Jake. “Guess we'll go along up and see if there's any orders.”