human
Why, how do you do, Mis' Beckett? exclaimed the guest.
gpt
Well, here I be at last. I didn't know's you thought I was ever comin'. Why, I do declare, I believe you don't recognize me, Mis' Beckett.
human
I believe I don't, said the self-possessed hostess.
gpt
Ain't you made some mistake, ma'am?
human
Why, don't you recollect we was together that time to the state conference, an' you said you should be pleased to have me come an' make you a visit some time, an' I said I would certain. There, I expect I look more natural to you now.
gpt
I can't wait all day to see how they settle it,
human
He might have waited just a minute to see, said Miss Pickett indignantly, but Mrs. Flagg's head and shoulders were already far out of the stage window--the house was on her side.
gpt
She ain't got in yet, she told Miss Pickett triumphantly.
human
I could see 'em quite a spell. With that trunk, too! I do declare, how inconsiderate some folks is!
gpt
agreed Miss Pickett.
human
There, 't will be somethin' laughable to tell Mis' Timms. I never see anything more divertin'. I shall kind of pity that woman if we have to stop an' git her as we go back this afternoon.
gpt
Oh, don't let's forgit to watch for her, exclaimed Mrs. Flagg, beginning to brush off the dust of travel.
human
There, I feel an excellent appetite, don't you? And we ain't got more 'n three or four miles to go, if we have that. I wonder what Mis' Timms is likely to give us for dinner; she spoke of makin' a good many chicken-pies, an' I happened to remark how partial I was to 'em. She felt above most of the things we had provided for us over to the conference. I know she was always counted the best o' cooks when I knew her so well to Longport. Now, don't you forget, if there's a suitable opportunity, to inquire about the drop-cakes;
gpt
My gracious, won't Mis' Timms be pleased to see us! It 's just exactly the day to have company. And ain't Baxter a sweet pretty place? said Mrs. Flagg, as they walked up the main street.
human
Cynthy Pickett, now ain't you proper glad you come? I felt sort o' calm about it part o' the time yesterday, but I ain't felt so like a girl for a good while. I do believe I'm goin' to have a splendid time.
gpt
I wonder if we can't contrive to make time to go an' see old Miss Nancy Fell? she ventured to ask Mrs. Flagg.
human
There ain't a great deal o' time before the stage goes at four o'clock; 't will pass quickly, but I should hate to have her feel hurt. If she was one we had visited often at home, I shouldn't care so much, but such folks feel any little slight. She was a member of our church; I think a good deal of that.
gpt
Well, I hardly know what to say, faltered Mrs. Flagg coldly.
human
We might just look in a minute; I shouldn't want her to feel hurt.
gpt
She was one that always did her part, too, said Miss Pickett, more boldly.
human
Mr. Cronin used to say that she was more generous with her little than many was with their much. If she hadn't lived in a poor part of the town, and so been occupied with a different kind of people from us, 't would have made a difference. They say she's got a comfortable little home over here, an' keeps house for a nephew. You know she was to our meeting one Sunday last winter, and 'peared dreadful glad to get back; folks seemed glad to see her, too. I don't know as you were out.
gpt
She always wore a friendly look, said Mrs. Flagg indulgently.
human
There, now, there's Mis' Timms's residence; it's handsome, ain't it, with them big spruce-trees. I expect she may be at the window now, an see us as we come along. Is my bonnet on straight, an' everything? The blinds looks open in the room this way; I guess she's to home fast enough.