But the doctor stared silently at the fire.
"It's the latest improvement in politeness--I shouldn't wonder--not to
answer your elders when they speak to you."
"Were you saying anything to me, Aunt Nancy?"
"'Was I saying anything to you, Aunt Nancy?' Yes I was! I was asking you
what's the matter?"
"Oh! I never was so dreadfully low-spirited in my life, Aunt Nancy."
"And what should a young man like you have to make him feel
low-spirited, I should like to know? Moping about Marian, I shouldn't
wonder. The girl is a good girl enough, if she'd only mind her own
business, and not let people spoil her. And if you do like her, and must
have her, why I shan't make no further objections."
Here the young doctor turned shortly around and stared at his aunt in
astonishment!
"Hem!" said Miss Nancy, looking confused, "well, yes, I did oppose it
once, certainly, but that was because you were both poor."
"And we are both poor still, for aught that I can see, and likely to
continue so."
"Hish-ish! no you're not! leastways, she's not. I've got something very
strange to tell you," said Miss Nancy, mysteriously drawing her chair up
close to her nephew, and putting her lips to his ear, and
whispering--"Hish-ish!"
"'Hish-ish!' What are you 'hish-ish'ing for, Aunt Nancy, I'm not saying
anything, and your breath spins into a fellow's ear enough to give him
an ear-ache!" said Dr.
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