"The old hen feels herself badly off when the egg teaches her to cackle.

That's human nature, that is.

And then she was riled because she was afraid I shouldn't have time to get the garden-things in order by to-morrow, when it seems there's some sort o' company expected.

I told her 'twould be all right." "Oh, those brutes! Of course, they're coming to-morrow.

I'd nearly forgotten all about it.