They hinted that they were real sorry for you, but 'twasn't any of THEIR doin's.

The parish committee, bein' just men, was apt to make mistakes in certain matters.

Of course everything MIGHT be well enough, and if you wa'n't TOO particular about cookin' and so on, why--Anyhow, you mustn't think that THEY were criticisin'.

'Twas only that they took an interest and--That was about it, wasn't it ?" "Mrs.Coffin, I--I hope you don't think I paid any attention to their remarks--of that kind, I mean.

Honestly, I did my best to stop them.