that it was virtually saying that it was not well at all. Then, suddenly
remembering that this was not good policy, she was soon all smiles and chatter
again. "How cozy this is!" she cried, "and how soon one acquires the home
feeling! Why, anyone looking in at the window would think that we were an old
established family, and yet this is but our first meal together. But it won't
be the last, Mr. Holcroft. I cannot make it known to you how your loneliness,
which Cousin Lemuel has so feelingly described to me, has affected my
feelings. Cousin Nancy said but this very day that you have had desperate
times with all kinds of dreadful creatures. But all that's past. Jane and me
will give a look of stability and respecterbility to every comer."

"Well, really, Mrs. Mumpson, I don't know who's to come."

"Oh, you'll see!" she replied, wrinkling her thin, blue lips into what was
meant for a smile, and nodding her head at him encouragingly. "You won't be so
isolated no more. Now that I'm here, with my offspring, your neighbors will
feel that they can show you their sympathy. The most respecterble people in
town will call, and your life will grow brighter and brighter; clouds will
roll away, and--"

"I hope the neighbors will not be so ill-mannered as to come without being
invited," remarked Mr. Holcroft grimly. "It's too late in the day for them to
begin now."

"My being here with Jane will make all the difference in the world," resumed
Mrs. Mumpson, with as saccharine an expression as she could assume. "They will
come out of pure kindness and friendly interest, with the wish to encourage--"

"Mrs. Mumpson," said Holcroft, half desperately, "if anyone comes it'll be out
of pure curiosity, and I don't want such company. Selling enough butter,