I'll get you a lot of money for the Russians.'"

"Did he git a girl? I mean Mr. Lossing."

"No, ma'am. He said he'd try if it was the city, but it was easier
finding gold-mines than girls that would go into the country.
See here, I'm forgetting your presents. Mother, you look real
dragged and--queer!"

"It's nothing; jist a thought kinder struck me 'bout--'bout that girl."

Tilly was sorting out the parcels and explaining them;
at the end of her task her mind harked back to an old grievance.
"Mother," said she, "I've been thinking for a long time,
and I've made up my mind."

"Yes, dearie." Mrs. Louder's eyes grew troubled.
She knew something of the quality of Tilly's mind,
which resembled her father's in a peculiar immobility.
Once let her decision run into any mould (be it whatsoever
it might), and let it stiffen, there was no chance, any more
than with other iron things, of its bending.

"Positively I could hardly get up the stairs today," said Tilly--
she was putting her jacket and hat away in her orderly fashion;
of necessity her back was to Mrs. Louder--"there was such
a raft of people wanting to send stuff and messages to you.
You are just working yourself to death; and, mother, I am
convinced we have _got to move!_"