Part 12 (1/2)
”I hope I haven't excited you, Lucindy,” said Uncle Obed. ”I thought I was pretty quiet. As to the work, you've got two girls to help in the kitchen.”
”Yes; but there's a certain amount of care that falls upon me which you can't understand.”
”I hope you won't alter your living for me, Lucindy. I'm one of your own folks, and I don't mind a picked-up dinner now and then.”
”The ridiculous old man,” thought Mrs. Ross, impatiently. ”As if I'd alter my style of living for a dest.i.tute old man that looks as if he'd just escaped from an almshouse.”
”We always live the same, company or no company,” she said, coldly.
”If we don't change for fas.h.i.+onable visitors from New York and Philadelphia, it is hardly likely would for you.”
”I'm glad I don't give you any trouble.”
”But,” continued Mrs. Ross, ”it is worrying to my nerves to have company.”
”Then I shouldn't think you'd invite those fas.h.i.+onable people from New York and Philadelphia,” said Obed, slyly.
”Plague take him!” thought Mrs. Ross; ”won't he take a hint? I shall have to speak more plainly. Indeed,” said she, ”I was surprised you should come in upon us without writing, or inquiring whether it would be convenient for us to receive you.”
”I begin to understand,” said Uncle Obed. ”I ain't welcome here.”
”Well, you can stay a few days, if you desire it,” said Mrs. Ross, ”but you will be much happier in your old home than here.”
”I ought to be the best judge of that, Lucindy,” said the old man, with dignity.
”Perhaps not. People can't always judge best for themselves.”
”Perhaps not; but I am going to try the experience of staying here a while.”
”I have already told you that it will not be convenient for you to stay here. Colonel Ross will pay your fare back to Illinois, and that, I am sure, is quite as much as he ought to do.”
”Lucindy,” said Uncle Obed, ”you seem to have forgotten the years I freely helped you and your poor mother. However, if you don't care to remember them, I won't refer to them.”
Mrs. Ross had the grace to be ashamed, but was not moved in her resolution to get rid of her uncle.
”Of course,” she said, ”I don't forget the past. We will help pay your board in some town at a distance.”
”Why at a distance?”
”Because, if you were here, people might think it strange you didn't stay with us, and my health won't admit that.”
”I'm much obliged for your offer, Lucindy, but I prefer to make my own arrangements. I am going to stay here.”
”Then we shall not a.s.sist you,” said Mrs. Ross, angrily.
”I don't wish you to. I can manage to pay my board, and I have already selected a boarding place.”
”Where do you expect to board?” asked Mrs. Ross, curiously.
”I'll tell you when it's settled.”