"That Bill Huff is as good-natured a fellow as ever broke ground," remarked Mr. Van Brunt. "Ain't better people in the town than them Huffs are." "They're well enough," said Miss Fortune. "Seven — and the Hitchcocks, there's three of them, that'll make ten —" "Dennison's ain't far from there," said Mr. Van Brunt. "Dan Dennison's a fine hand at a'most anything, in-doors or out." "That's more than you can say for his sister. Cilly Dennison gives herself so many airs, it's altogether too much for plain country folks. I should like to know what she thinks herself. It's a'most too much for my stomach to see her flourishing that watch and chain." "What's the use of troubling yourself about other people's notions?" said Mr. Van Brunt. "If folks want to take the road, let them have it. That's my way. I am satisfied, provided they don't run me over." " 'Tain't my way, then, I'd have you to know," said Miss Fortune; "I despise it! And 'tain't your way, neither, Van Brunt; what did you give Tom Larkens a cowhiding for?" " 'Cause he deserved it, if ever a man did," said Mr. Van Brunt, quite rousing up; "he was treating that little brother of his'n in a way a boy shouldn't be treated; and I am glad I did it. I gave him notice to quit before I laid a finger on him. He warn't doing nothing to _me_." "And how much good do you suppose it did?" said Miss Fortune, rather scornfully. "It did just the good I wanted to do. He has seen fit to let little Billy alone ever since." "Well, I guess I'll let the Dennisons come," said Miss Fortune; "that makes twelve — and you and your mother are fourteen. I suppose that man Marshchalk will come dangling along after the Hitchcocks." "To be sure he will; and his aunt, Miss Janet, will come with him, most likely." "Well — there's no help for it," said Miss Fortune. "That makes sixteen." "Will you ask Miss Alice?" "Not I; she's another of your proud set. I don't want to see anybody that thinks she's going to do me a great favour by coming." Ellen's lips opened, but wisdom came in time to stop the words that were on her tongue. It did not, however, prevent the quick little turn of her head, which showed what she thought, and the pale cheeks were for a moment bright enough. "She is, and I don't care who hears it," repeated Miss Fortune. "I suppose she'd look as sober as a judge, too, if she saw cider on the table; they say she won't touch a drop ever, and thinks it's wicked; and if that ain't setting one's self up for better than other folks, I don't know what is." "I saw her paring apples at the Huffs', though," said Mr. Van Brunt, "and as pleasant as anybody; but she didn't stay to supper." "I'd ask Mrs. Vawse, if I could get word to her," said Miss Fortune; "but I can never travel up that mountain. If I get a sight of Nancy, I'll tell her."