Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V CERTAIN PERSONS BECOME BETTER ACQUAINTED Brinton was much surprised, for he had no idea that his aunt was in New England. "Lud! " she exclaimed, " how you have grown! I've not seen you for two years. You're better looking than ever you were and favor your mother, as I've always maintained, though William says you take after him. Here's Polly, whom you may kiss, and Betty Allen, whom you may not." Brinton laughed and the girls laughed; Joshua was introduced at once, and then Brinton was called away immediately by his aunt, who, accompanied by the obsequious Oakes, desired to inspect the rooms in which she was to lodge. Mrs. Winthrop was not easily satisfied. Resplendent in her long plum-colored, fur-lined cloak and hood and her enormous velvet muff, she sailed into the bedroom, with her head in the air, announcing that she smelled paint. The beds were declared too hard, the harrateen hangings not sufficiently clean, and the camlet coverlets too thin. She rated Oakes soundly, demanding at once a warming-pan, extra brass candlesticks, a second lookingglass, and two chintz quilts. She was a good soul, but that was her way. "I suppose," said she, when the landlord had gone to procure the articles she required, "that you're surprised to see us." "Indeed I am," answered Brinton. "We've been three weeks in Providence with the Josselyns, and I promised your father to stop here on my way back to see you. He's never been here, you know, so I want to see everything. Lud! to think that I should find you at the ordinary! And what were you doing here, pray? And who was the man in the white coat at whom you were glaring?" "Benedict Arnold," answered Brinton. "I don't know him. We got in a row about politics." "Politics!" exclaimed Mrs....
