"And it was something a cat does--purr, you know; I knew it was.

Mamma said living here was paradise after purr-gatory." Jed rubbed his chin.
"I cal'late your ma didn't care much for the board at Luretta Smalley's," he observed.

He couldn't help thinking the remark an odd one to make to a child.
"Oh, I don't think she meant Mrs.Smalley's," explained Barbara.
"She liked Mrs.Smalley's pretty well, well as any one can like boarding, you know," this last plainly another quotation.

"I think she meant she liked living here so much better than she did living in Middleford, where we used to be." "Hum," was the only comment Jed made.

He was surprised, nevertheless.