About the middle of the next day, as the preserving kettle did not make its appearance, Hannah was again despatched, with directions to urge upon Mrs.Tompkins the pressing necessity there was for its being returned.
In due time Hannah made her appearance, but without the kettle.
"Well ?" inquired Aunt Mary, in a tone of disappointment.
"Mrs.Tompkins says, ma'am," replied Hannah, "that you needn't be in such a fever about your old preserving kettle, and that it is not at all neigh-hourly to be sending for a thing before it is done with.

She says she won't be through with her mamlet before day after to-morrow, and that you can't have the kettle before then." "Well, it is a downright shame!" said Aunt Mary, with a warmth of manner unusual to her.
"And so I told her," responded Hannah.
"You did! And what did Mrs.Tompkins say ?" "Oh, she fired right up, and said she didn't want any of my imperdence." "But you oughtn't to have said so, Hannah." "How could I help it, ma'am, when my blood was boiling over?
It is a shame; that's the truth." Aunt Mary did not reply, but she thought all that Hannah had said to Mrs.Tompkins, and a good deal more.

Indeed, her forbearance was sorely tried.

Never since she could recollect, had she felt so unkindly towards any one as she now did towards her neighbour and fellow church member.

Often did she try to put away these unkind and troublesome thoughts; but the effort was vain.