"Oh, well! Since we all and everything are affected in the same way, it don't
matter."

"But it does. It's unaccountable. I'm beginning to rub my eyes and pinch
myself to wake up."

"If you like it, I wouldn't wake up."

"Suppose I did, and saw Mrs. Mumpson sitting where you do, Jane here, and Mrs.
Wiggins smoking her pipe in the corner. The very thought makes me shiver. My
first words would be, 'Please pass the cold p'ison.'"

"What nonsense you are talking tonight!" she tried to say severely, but the
pleased, happy look in her eyes betrayed her. He regarded her with the open
admiration of a boy, and she sought to divert his attention by asking, "What
do you think has become of Jane?"

"I don't know--stealing around like a strange cat in some relation's house, I
suppose."

"You once said you would like to do something for her."

"Well, I would. If I could afford it, I'd like to send her to school."

"Would you like her to come here and study lessons part of the time?"

He shivered visibly. "No, Alida, and you wouldn't either. She'd make you more
nervous than she would me, and that's saying a good deal. I do feel very
sorry for her, and if Mrs. Weeks comes to see you, we'll find out if something
can't be done, but her presence would spoil all our cozy comfort. The fact