'You may not believe it,' she said to him in a moment of confidence, 'but I assure you I am a very good cook.' Rolfe did not quite credit the assurance, but he felt it not improbable that Mrs.Frothingham would accept a reverse of fortune with much practical philosophy; he could imagine her brightening a small house with the sweetness of her disposition, and falling to humble duties with sprightly goodwill.

In this point she was a noteworthy exception among the prosperous women of his acquaintance.
'And what have you been doing ?' she asked, not as a mere phrase of civility, but in a voice and which a look of genuine interest.
'Wasting my time, for the most part.' 'So you always say; but it can't be true.

I know the kind of man who wastes his time, and you're not a bit like him.

Nothing would gratify my curiosity more than to be able to watch you through a whole day.
What did you think of the quartet ?' 'Capital!' 'I'm sure they would make wonderful progress, and Alma does work so hard! I'm only afraid she may injure her health.' 'I see no sign of it yet.' 'She's certainly looking very well,' said Mrs.Frothingham, with manifest pride and affection.

Of Alma she always spoke thus; nothing of the step-mother was ever observable.
'Mr.Frothingham is not here this evening!' 'I really don't know why,' replied the hostess, casting her eyes round the room.