"And as to the cost of giving a feast, what would be extravagance in one might only be a liberal hospitality in another.
Cake and ice cream for my friends might be as lavish an expenditure for me as Mr.Birtwell's banquet last night was for him, and as likely to set me among the beggars when I get over to the other side." "Then you don't believe that God holds rich men to a strict account for the manner in which they spend the money he has placed in their hands?
Are they not his almoners ?" "No more than poor men, and not to be held to any stricter accountability," was replied.

"Mr.Birtwell does not sin against the poor when he lavishes his hundreds, or it may be thousands, of dollars in the preparation of a feast for his friends any more than you do when you buy a box of French candies to eat alone in your room or share with your visitors, maybe not so much." There was a laugh at the expense of the vinegar-faced lady, who did not fail in a sharp retort which was more acid than convincing.

The conversation then went back to General Abercrombie and his wife.
"Didn't she look dreadful ?" remarked one of the company.
"And her manner toward the general was so singular." "In what respect ?" asked Mrs.Craig.
"She looked at him so strangely, so anxious and scared-like.

I never knew him to be so silent.

He's social and talkative, you know--such good company.