Uncle Nathan started the impatient horse into a swift trot toward
Fulton, where we were to meet the train which was to bear us to Elmwood.




CHAPTER XVI.


It must be confessed that my aunt's quaint style of dress contrasted
somewhat strongly with many of the fashionably attired lady passengers
in the same car. I presume this gave her little uneasiness, for she
cared little for the opinion of others in matters pertaining to dress;
and she regarded the slightly quizzical glances of some of the
passengers with cool indifference. Her apparel was of quite rich
material, but the style dated backward for many years, and the bonnet
she wore was quite too large to be considered fashionable. Directly in
front of us were seated two young ladies, dressed in the extreme of
fashion, who seemed to consider it their privilege to amuse themselves
by observing and passing remarks to each other, in an undertone, upon
the dress and appearance generally of the other passengers. When we took
the vacant seat behind them, we were subject to a prolonged stare from
the two young misses, and we distinctly heard one of them address the
other, saying with a sneer, "I wonder how much that old lady's bonnet
cost, when new, I would ask her only it must have been so long ago, I am
sure she has forgotten by this time." Aunt Lucinda was not one to let
this pass unnoticed. Touching the young lady lightly on the shoulder, to
attract her attention, she said in a voice loud enough to be heard by
several of the other passengers near us, "I believe, miss, you are
anxious to learn the price of my bonnet when new, I have forgotten the