And--and after dinner to-day she sent me in here for somethin' and then slammed the door on me.

Said she cal'lated I'd stay put till she got back from Thankful's.
She knew mighty well I couldn't get out of the window, 'cause it won't open no further'n 'tis now.

I wa'n't never so provoked in my life.
'Tain't no way to treat your own brother, lockin' him up like a young one; now, is it ?" Ellery's reply was not made immediately.

He had heard numerous stories concerning this odd household, some of which seemed too absurd for belief.

But this performance was more ridiculous than anything he had heard.
"'Tain't right, is it, Mr.Ellery ?" demanded Kyan.
"Why," answered the caller chokingly, "I--I--it is rather unusual, that's a fact.