"Pshaw! Buy a shroud for yourself; you will need it before I want a
silk gown," was the ungracious reply.
"Consider woman; a black silk of the best quality."
"To mourn in for my sins, or for the loss of the farm?"
"Twelve yards," continued Mr. - -, without noticing her rejoinder,
"at a dollar a yard. Think what a nice church-going gown it will
make."
"To the devil with you! I never go to church."
"I thought as much," said Mr. - -, winking to us. "Well, my dear
madam, what will satisfy you?"
"I'll do it for twenty dollars," returned the old woman, rocking
herself to and fro in her chair; her eyes twinkling, and her hands
moving convulsively, as if she already grasped the money so dear to
her soul.
"Agreed," said the land speculator. "When will you be in town?"
"On Tuesday, if I be alive. But, remember, I'll not sign till I have
my hand on the money."
"Never fear," said Mr. - -, as we quitted the house; then, turning
to me, he added, with a peculiar smile," That's a devilish smart
woman. She would have made a clever lawyer."
Monday came, and with it all the bustle of moving, and, as is
generally the case on such occasions, it turned out a very wet day.
I left Old Satan's hut without regret, glad, at any rate, to be in a
place of my own, however humble.
