I should have to punish you if you passed any remarks upon my actions."

"Well," said Jane apprehensively, "I only hope we'll soon have a chance to fix
up them drawers, for if he should open 'em we'd have to tramp again, and we
will anyway if you don't help me get supper."

"You are mistaken, Jane," responded Mrs. Mumpson with dignity. "We shall not
leave this roof for three months, and that will give me ample time to open his
eyes to his true interests. I will condescend to these menial tasks until he
brings a girl who will yield the deference due to my years and station in
life."

Between them, after filling the room with smoke, they kindled the kitchen
fire. Jane insisted on making the coffee and then helped her mother to
prepare the rest of the supper, doing, in fact, the greater part of the work.
Then they sat down to wait, and they waited so long that Mrs. Mumpson began to
express her disapproval by rocking violently. At last, she said severely,
"Jane, we will partake of supper alone."

"I'd ruther wait till he comes."

"It's not proper that we should wait. He is not showing me due respect.
Come, do as I command."

Mrs. Mumpson indulged in lofty and aggrieved remarks throughout the meal and
then returned to her rocker. At last, her indignant sense of wrong reached
such a point that she commanded Jane to clear the table and put away the
things.

"I won't," said the child.