and they waited for him to say "grace." He was in far too bitter a mood for
any such pious farce, and stolidly began to help them to the ham and eggs,
which viands had been as nearly spoiled as was possible in their preparation.
The widow raised her head with a profound sigh which set Holcroft's teeth on
edge, but he proceeded silently with his supper. The biscuits were heavy
enough to burden the lightest conscience; and the coffee, simply grounds
swimming around in lukewarm water. He took a sip, then put down his cup and
said, quietly, "Guess I'll take a glass of milk tonight. Mrs. Mumpson, if you
don't know how to make coffee, I can soon show you."

"Why! Isn't it right? How strange! Perhaps it would be well for you to show
me just exactly how you like it, for it will afford me much pleasure to make
it to your taste. Men's tastes differ so! I've heard that no two men's
tastes were alike; and, after all, everything is a matter of taste. Now
Cousin Abiram doesn't believe in coffee at all. He thinks it is unwholesome.
Have YOU ever thought that it might be unwholesome?"

"I'm used to it, and would like it good when I have it at all."

"Why, of course, of course! You must have it exactly to your taste. Jane, my
dear, we must put our minds on coffee and learn precisely how Mr. Holcroft
likes it, and when the hired girl comes we must carefully superintend her when
she makes it. By the way, I suppose you will employ my assistant tomorrow,
Mr. Holcroft."

"I can't get a girl short of town," was the reply, "and there is so much cream
in the dairy that ought to be churned at once that I'll wait till next Monday
and take down the butter."

Mrs. Mumpson put on a grave, injured air, and said, "Well," so disapprovingly