Hatch remarked with effusive amiability that "it's a
sad sight to see a daughter go, even though she's a stepchild. It's
a comfort to think," she added immediately, "that Judy's got a
God-fearin', pious husband an' one with no nonsense about him for all
his good looks."
"I ain't so sure about the nonsense," retorted Sarah, "Abel's got to be
managed like all men folk, an' he ain't so different from the rest of
'em, unless it is that he's mo' set."
She harboured a carefully concealed opinion that Abel was "stooping" to
marry Judy, for the Hatches were particularly thriftless and had never
succeeded in paying a long standing mortgage. Besides, they were in the
habit of using their parlour commonly on week days, and Mrs. Hatch had
once been seen at church in a calico dress--though, it was true, she had
slipped out of the side door before the service was over. Added to these
things, Sarah had observed of late that Judy showed an inclination to
shirk her duties, and had a dangerous habit of "mooning" while she was
at the wash tub.
"Well, I like a man that's set, myself," rejoined Mrs. Hatch, as
effusive as ever.
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