He's aged a good
deal since his wife died, and no wonder, poor man! with all his
six children to look out for. He shook hands with me, and he
seemed so all cut up when I told him how lonesome he looked, that
I says to him: 'Mr. Baxter, why don't you get married again?
There's lots of good women left, as many as there ever was. Why
don't you take Miss Roberts, now? She'd manage your children for
you, I'll warrant.'"
This was too much for the doctor and the girls, and they burst out
laughing, while Aunt Jane remarked stiffly,--
"Thank you, Miss Bean; but I have no present desire to be
married."
"Well, I didn't know but what you might think 'twas a case of
duty," responded Miss Bean grimly.
As soon as the meal was over, Polly and Jean adjourned to the lawn
again, and sat down to discuss the situation, for they were both
much excited over the possible coming of Molly's cousins.
"I saw some pictures of them, once," said Polly, as she settled
herself in the hammock. "They were pretty, and they were just
elegantly dressed, with piles of lace and things, and gold chains
round their necks."
"Miss Bean said they had lots of money," said Jean thoughtfully.
"Yes," answered Polly; "and they looked as if they had it all on.
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