Mrs.Armstrong was always quietly cheerful and friendly when they met in the yard or about the premises, but she neither intruded nor patronized.

Jed's first impression of her, a favorable one, was strengthened daily.
"I like her first-rate," he told Captain Sam.

"She ain't too folksy and she ain't too standoffish.

Why, honest truth, Sam," he added, ingenuously, "she treats me just the same as if I was like the common run of folks." The captain snorted.

"Gracious king! Do stop runnin' yourself down," he commanded.