I could see that he was taking it for a big joke, because he was grinning like everything.

I guess he knew what a grip he'd managed to get on his sister, and felt sure not even a dozen ladies of Scranton could cause her to throw him out.
"What did he do but slide around the wall of the house, get down on his hands and knees, and creep right under that open window, where he could hear every word that was said.

What do you think of that for meanness, the skunk; now, it never occurred to me to try that dodge, you know." "I could see him as plain as anything, Hugh.

He'd listen a bit, and then just as like as not hear something that tickled him a heap, for he'd double up and seem to just shake with silent laughter.

Oh! I was just burning like fun, and boiling over, I was so mad to see how he carried on; because I just knew Matilda was holding the fort against all the batteries the three ladies could bring to bear, and telling them that it was her sacred duty to take care of her poor, poor brother in his last sickness, because the rough world had used him so harshly.
"Well, in the end he crawled away in a big hurry, so I knew the three ladies must be coming out.