How did she get here ?" "She came this noon; followed along after her aunt, I suppose.

I don't think she knew she was coming.

She acted kind of surprised, I thought." "You don't mean they're comin' in here to dinner ?" "I couldn't very well help asking them, you know." His tone was soft and conciliatory, and he kept a nervous eye upon his sister's face.
"Couldn't help askin' 'em! I ruther guess I could 'a' helped askin' 'em!" "Jane, I hadn't any idea they'd stay." "Well, you've gone an' done it, that's all I've got to say.

Here they didn't come last night, when I got all ready for 'em, an' now they're comin', an' everything we've got is a picked-up dinner; there ain't enough of anything to go round.

Flora!" Her daughter Flora came in from the kitchen, with the children, in blue gingham aprons, at her heels.
"What is it, mother ?" said she.
"Nothin', only your uncle Daniel has asked that Maxwell woman an' her niece to dinner, an' they're goin' to stay." "My goodness! there isn't a thing for dinner!" said Flora, with a half-giggle.