e a chance
to fix up them drawers, for if he should open 'em we'd have to tramp
again, and we will anyway if you don't help me get supper."

"You are mistaken, Jane," responded Mrs. Mumpson with dignity. "We
shall not leave this roof for three months, and that will give me ample
time to open his eyes to his true interests. I will condescend to
these menial tasks until he brings a girl who will yield the deference
due to my years and station in life."

Between them, after filling the room with smoke, they kindled the
kitchen fire. Jane insisted on making the coffee and then helped her
mother to prepare the rest of the supper, doing, in fact, the greater
part of the work. Then they sat down to wait, and they waited so long
that Mrs. Mumpson began to express her disapproval by rocking
violently. At last, she said severely, "Jane, we will partake of
supper alone."

"I'd ruther wait till he comes."

"It's not proper that we should wait. He is not showing me due
respect. Come, do as I command."

Mrs. Mumpson indulged in lofty and aggrieved remarks throughout the
meal and then returned to her rocker. At last, her indignant sense of
wrong reached such a point that she commanded Jane to clear the table
and put away the things.

"I won't," said the child.

"What! Will you compel me to chastise you?"

"Well, then, I'll tell him it was all your doin's."

"I shall tell him so myself. I shall remonstrate with him. The idea
of his coming home alone at this time of night with an unknown female!"

"One would think you was his aunt, to hear you talk," remarked the girl
sullenly.

"I am a respecterble woman and most respecterbly connected. My
character and antercedents render me irrerproachful.--This could not be
said of a hussy, and a hussy he'll probably bring--some flighty,
immerture female that will tax even MY patience to train."

Another hour passed, and the frown on Mrs. Mumpson's brow grew
positively awful. "To think," she muttered, "that a man whom I have
deemed it my duty to marry should stay out so and under such peculiar
circumstances. He must have a lesson which he can never forget." Then
aloud, to Jane, "Kindle a fire on the parlor hearth and let this fire
go out. He must find us in the most respecterble room in the house--a
room befitting my station."

"I declare, mother, you aint got no sense at all!" exclaimed the child,
exasperated beyond measure.

"I'll teach you to use such unrerspectful