easy. You are not eating, Mistress Deborah. (She rises.) Have my blunt
ways offended you? Have I again displeased you?
[Footnote: From "Poor Richard's Almanac."]

DEBORAH
(with chilling dignity).
You could not an you tried, Master Franklin. I was but going to fetch
the tea-kettle.

FRANKLIN
(starting up).
If I can help you--

DEBORAH
(still frostily).
I thank you, I am in no need of help. A-ah!

[With a cry she drops the kettle.

FRANKLIN.
You have burned yourself, Mistress Deborah! The poor little hand! (He
tears up his handkerchief.) Let me bandage it for you! It is sorely
blistered!

DEBORAH
(tears in her voice the while she submits her hand to him).
I can tolerate blisters, Master Franklin. They are far less irksome
than--than----

FRANKLIN