COMMUTER'S WIFE 109 



first. True, Aunt Lot surprised us by coming in by 

 the evening train, Reverend Jabez being now located 

 at Centreville, thirty miles off, to get some winter 

 flannels that she left packed away and offer me 

 advice as to household management. But she has 

 not damaged the day, for father has kindly lured 

 her into his study; she merely acted as a sort of 

 nightcap under whose influence, together with the 

 result of an entire day out of doors, Evan and I crept 

 somnolently into our den to sit in the big armchair 

 in front of the wood fire, and whisper about things 

 that could be perfectly well spoken aloud; but to 

 make people tiptoe and whisper is Aunt Lot's effect 

 upon every one. 



" Why are we sitting here, instead of entertaining 

 your Aunt Lot?" Evan asked contentedly, without 

 making any effort to move. 



"Because we are rude and perfectly frank heathens. 

 We don't care to see her, for she wasn't nice about 

 our being married, and so we do not pretend we do. 

 We do not care a bit because the roof of the parson- 

 age pantry leaked and spoiled her season's jam and 

 jelly; we don't care that the 'four youngest' are badly 

 disciplined and a trial; instead, we feel very sorry 

 for them. 



"Then she is sure to have speeches to make 



