"You wouldn't have that difficulty with Aunt Rachel," said Jack,
roguishly.

Ida, with difficulty, suppressed a laugh.

"I see," said Aunt Rachel, with severe resignation, "that you've
taken to ridiculing your poor aunt again. But it's what I expect. I
don't never expect any consideration in this house. I was born to be
a martyr, and I expect I shall fulfil my destiny. If my own
relations laugh at me, of course I can't expect anything better from
other folks. But I sha'n't be long in the way. I've had a cough for
some time past, and I expect I'm in a consumption."

"You make too much of a little thing, Rachel," said the cooper. "I
don't think Jack meant anything."

"I'm sure, what I said was complimentary," said Jack.

Rachel shook her head incredulously.

"Yes it was. Ask Ida. Why won't you draw Aunt Rachel, Ida? I think
she'd make a capital picture."

"So I will," said Ida, hesitatingly, "if she will let me."

"Now, Aunt Rachel, there's a chance for you," said Jack. "I advise
you to improve it. When it's finished, it can be hung up at the Art
Rooms, and who knows but you may secure a husband by it?"

"I wouldn't marry," said his aunt, firmly compressing her lips, "not