there came a light tap. Now callers upon the Hamlins, in general, just
pulled the latchstring and came in. Nobody tapped except the sheriff,
the constable, the tax-collector and the parson, and the latter's
calls had been rare since the family fortunes, never other than
humble, had been going from bad to worse. So that it was not without
some trepidation, which was shared by the family, that old Elnathan
now rose from his seat by the chimney corner and went and opened the
door. A clear, soft voice, with the effect of distinctness without
preciseness, which betrays the cultured class, was heard by those
within, asking, "Is Captain Hamlin in the house?"

"Do ye mean Perez?" parleyed Elnathan.

"Yes."

"I b'leve he's somewheres raound. He's aout doin up the chores, I
callate. Did ye wanter see him?"

"If you please."

"Wal, come in won't ye, an sid down, an I'll go aout arter him," said
Elnathan, backing in and making way for the guest to enter.

"It's the Edwards gal," he continued, in a feebly introductory manner,
as Desire entered.

Mrs. Hamlin hastily let down her sleeves, and glanced, a little
shamefacedly, at her linsey-woolsey short gown and coarse petticoat,
and then about the room, which was a good deal cluttered up, and small
blame to her, considering the sudden increase of her household cares.