bill. Medora Magot has turned her last year's silk, which is a little
stained and worn; but then it does just as well."

By-and-by her nephew Boniface married Medora's sister, Nancy.

It was Mrs. Dagon who sat with Mrs. Newt in her parlor, and said to her,

"So your son Abel is coming home. I'm glad to hear it. I hope he knows
how to waltz, and isn't awkward. There are some very good matches to be
made; and I like to have a young man settle early. It's better for his
morals. Men are bad people, my dear. I think Maria Chubleigh would do
very well for Abel. She had a foolish affair with that Colonel Orson,
but it's all over. Why on earth do girls fall in love with officers? They
never have any pay worth speaking of, and a girl must tramp all over the
land, and live I don't know how. Pshaw! it's a wretched business. How's
Mr. Dinks? I saw him and Fanny waltzing last month at the Shrimps'. Who
are the Shrimps? Somebody says something about the immense fortune Mr.
Shrimp has made in the oil trade. You should have seen Mrs. Winslow Orry
peering about at the Shrimps. I really believe she counted the spoons.
What an eye that woman has, and what a tongue! Are you really going to
Saratoga? Will Boniface let you? He is the kindest man! He is so generous
that I sometimes fear somebody'll be taking advantage of him. Gracious
me! how hot it is!"

It was warm, and Mrs. Dagon fanned herself. When she and Mrs. Newt
met there was a tremendous struggle to get the first innings of the
conversation, and neither surrendered the ground until fairly forced
off by breathlessness and exhaustion.

"Yes, we shall go to Saratoga," began Mrs. Newt; "and I want Abel to