But we thanked him warm, very warm, warmer than the weather, and that stood more'n ninety in the shade.
And I told him--for I see that he really meant what he said--I told him that the chance of comin' in there and settin' down in that cool, big room, once in a while, as a change from our dry oven, would be a boon.
And I didn't know but it would be the means of savin' our two lives, for meltin' did seem to be our doom and our state ahead on us, time and time agin.
And he spoke right up in his pleasant, sincere way, and said, "The more we used it the more it would please him." And then he opened the doors of a big bookcase--all carved off the doors wuz, and the top, and the beautiful head of a white marble female a-standin' up above it.

And he sez-- "Here are a good many books that are fairly lonesome waiting to be read, and you are more than welcome to read them." Wall, I thanked him agin, and I told him that he wuz too good to us.

And I couldn't settle it in my own mind what made him act so.

Of course, not knowin' at that time that I favored his mother in my looks--his mother he had worshipped so that he kep her room jest as she left it, and wouldn't have a thing changed.
But I didn't know that, as I say, and I said to my Josiah, after we went back into our room-- Sez I, "It must be that we do have a good look to us, Josiah Allen, or else that perfect stranger wouldn't treat us as he has." "Perfect stranger!" sez Josiah.

"Why, we have neighbored with him 'most a week.