This is so like a woman--to undertake to renovate society, and lose her temper at the first adverse word.' He was looking at me with a peculiar but not unkindly smile as he spoke; in fact, his expression was almost pleasant; but I was too much prejudiced to be softened.

I did not care in the least what he thought of my temper; I was quite sure he had one of his own.
'No one likes to meet discouragement on the threshold,' I answered curtly.
'Not if it comes out with timbrels and dances, like Jephtha's daughter, to be sacrificed: that was discouragement on the threshold with a vengeance.

I was always sorry for that old fellow.

Well, _apropos_ of that touching remark,--which, by the way, is exquisitely feminine,--supposing we strike a truce.

I daresay you look upon me as an interfering stranger; but the fact is, I am the poor folk's doctor down here; so you cannot work without me.