On his first visit I thought him rude.

On his second, he inquired at table: "Is this the place where they put onions into everything ?" I replied that we used none in tea or coffee.

When I joined him and my husband in the parlor, he waved his hand around the room to point out its decorations and said: "Brother James tells me that this is all your work.

It is quite wonderful, and now, sister, what a pity it is that you will not turn your attention to religion.

You seem to do everything so well." He motioned as if to lay his hand on my shoulder.