symptoms. And I tell you as how the high and mighty heiress, Miss
Claudia Merlin, loves the very buttons on our Ishmael's coat better nor
she loves the whole world and all the people in it besides. And no
wonder! for of all the young men as ever I seed, gentlemen or
workingmen, Ishmael Worth is the handsomest in his looks, and his
manners, and his speech, and all. And I believe, though I am not much of
a judge, as he is the most intelligentest and book-larnedest. I never
seed his equal yet. Why, Hannah, I don't believe as there is e'er a
prince a-livin' as has finer manners--I don't!"

"But, Reuben, do you mean what you say? Do you really think Miss Claudia
Merlin condescends to like Ishmael? I have heard of ladies doing such
strange things sometimes; but Miss Claudia Merlin!"

"I told you, and I tell you again, as she loves the very buttons offen
Ishmael's coat better nor she loves all the world besides. But she is as
proud as Lucifer, and ready to tear her own heart out of her bosom for
passion and spite, because she can't get Ishmael out of it! She'll never
marry him, if you mean that; though I know sometimes young ladies will
marry beneath them for love; but Miss Merlin will never do that. She
would fling herself into burning fire first!"

The conversation could go no farther, for the subject of it was heard
coming down the stairs, and the next moment he opened the door and
entered the room.

He took a seat near Hannah, smiling and saying:

"For this one afternoon I will take a holiday, Aunt Hannah, and enjoy
the society of yourself and the babies."

"So do, Ishmael," replied the pleased and happy mother. And in the very
effort to shake off his gloom and please and be pleased, Ishmael found
his sadness alleviated.

He was never weary of wondering at Hannah and her children. To behold
his maiden aunt in the character of a wife had been a standing marvel to
Ishmael. To contemplate her now as a mother was an ever-growing delight
to the genial boy. She had lost all her old-maidish appearance. She was
fleshier, fairer, and softer to look upon. And she wore a pretty
bobbinet cap and a bright-colored calico wrapper, and she busied herself
with needlework while turning the cradle with her foot, and humming a
little nursery song. As for Reuben, he arose as Ishmael sat down, stood
contemplating his domestic bliss for a few minutes, and then took his
hat and went out upon his afternoon rounds among the field laborers. A