buttons than I am. I only say, it's very odd.

"However, there's one comfort; it can't last long. I'm worn to death
with your temper, and sha'n't trouble you a great while. Ha, you may
laugh! And I dare say you would laugh! I've no doubt of it! That's
your love--that's your feeling! I know that I'm sinking every day,
though I say nothing about it. And when I'm gone, we shall see how
your second wife will look after your buttons. You'll find out the
difference, then. Yes, Caudle, you'll think of me, then; for then, I
hope, you'll never have a blessed button to your back.

"No, I'm not a vindictive woman, Mr. Caudle; nobody ever called me
that, but you. What do you say?

"NOBODY EVER KNEW SO MUCH OF ME?

"That's nothing at all to do with it. Ha! I wouldn't have your
aggravating temper, Caudle, for mines of gold. It's a good thing I'm
not as worrying as you are--or a nice house there'd be between us. I
only wish you'd had a wife that WOULD have talked to you! Then you'd
have known the difference. But you impose upon me, because, like a
poor fool, I say nothing. I should be ashamed of myself, Caudle.

"And a pretty example you set as a father! You'll make your boys as
bad as yourself. Talking as you did all breakfast time about your
buttons! And of a Sunday morning, too! And you call yourself a
Christian! I should like to know what your boys will say of you when
they grow up? And all about a paltry button off one of your
wristbands! A decent man wouldn't have mentioned it.