You think you can't stay ?" "I'm--much obliged to your sister an' you for invitin' me, but--I guess--I'd better--not." "Why--but--Mrs.Maxwell! Just be seated again for a moment, and let me speak to my sister; perhaps she--" "I'm jest as much obliged to her, but I feel as if I'd better be goin'." Mrs.Field stood before him, mildly unyielding.

She seemed to waver toward his will, but all the time she abided toughly in her own self like a willow bough.

"But, Mrs.Maxwell, what _can_ you do ?" said the lawyer, his manner full of perplexity, and impatience thinly veiled by courtesy.

"The hotel here is not very desirable, and--" "Can't I go right up to--the house ?" "The Maxwell house ?" "Yes, sir; if there ain't anything to hinder." Mr.Tuxbury stared at her.

"Why, I don't know that there is really anything to hinder," he said, slowly.