In his life with his sister there were exigencies during which he was obliged to descend from his platform of superiority.

He foresaw the approach of one now.
Dinner was already served when he entered the dining-room, and his sister was setting the chairs around the table.

They kept no servant.
"They are going to stay to dinner, I expect," he remarked, in a appealingly confidential tone.
His sister faced him with a jerk.

She was very red from bending over the kitchen fire.

"Who's goin' to stay?
What do you mean, Daniel ?" "Why, Mrs.Maxwell and her niece." "Her niece?
I didn't know she had any niece.