'They say,' said a very comfortable-looking personage, with very round cheeks, and ample proportions--'they say, Mrs. Andrews, that your William is a-building that 'are place for himself; and that he's a coming back and goin' to be married to Hettie Brown, and they are to live there.' 'Now did I _ever_!' and the Widow Andrews turned up her eyes towards the ceiling--a common way with her--put her two hands together, and rested them on the tea-table. 'I don't see what people mean; I ain't heered no sich thing--have you, Mary?' appealing to her daughter, who sat beside her, and began to move about in her chair, and to smooth down the very stiff collar that encircled her neck. 'I don't see what people talk so for; I believe they do a-purpose;' and the widow began to slide up on her high notes, which at once aroused the energies of her daughter Mary. 'Oh, _do_ Mother! don't mind if they do talk; it don't hurt any body; it don't make it so, you know;--does it, Mrs. Bloodgood?' 'Do la, no; and if it did, where's the harm?' 'Well,' said the fat lady, 'I guess you will all see: for every body knows the two young folks is dead in love, and they say he's made a power of money; only some say he won't have Hettie after all, jist because she's been out to service.' Mrs. Bloodgood now saw that the harmony of her party was like to be destroyed, for the Widow Andrews was beginning to fan herself, and breathe short; so like a skilful commander, she brought all her forces to bear, in order to turn the attitude of affairs. 'Now, Aunt Peggy!' addressing the fat woman, 'do, la--I wouldn't talk so. Folks say a great many things they don't know any thing about. 'William is a brave boy; and if he's got ahead in the world, I'm glad on it; but who he will marry, or when he will marry, I guess there ain't any body that knows. Don't you say so, Mrs. Andrews? But, do, la! Here I've been a talking, and your tea is clean out; let me give you another cup; and, Aunt Peggy, won't you hand round that plate of cake? and won't you all help yourselves? and them baked pears, they are fresh and nice; I did them up this very morning--but may be some of you would like the preserves? Sally Cutter, you just hand the Widow Andrews that saucer of preserves.' The tea, and the cake, and the preserves, now demanded general and particular notice; and between eating and drinking, and praising the good things, and asking for receipts, a very delightful state of confusion and loud talking about all manner of things, showed how successful was Aunt Sally's effort to maintain the peace.