She may be a mother with three or four children; or an old maid who keeps a boarding-house; or a wrinkled school-mistress; or a chit of a school-girl.

I've had some fair verses from a red-haired girl of fourteen at the Seminary," he concluded with professional coolness.
The stranger regarded him with the naive wonder of an inexperienced man.

Having paid this tribute to his superior knowledge, he regained his previous air of grave perception.

"I reckon she ain't none of them.

But I'm keepin' you from your work.