She had confessed to mother that she was on the fence, and didn't know which way to jump.

He was a poor, witless thing, she knew; but he was as good a man as ever breathed, and stood as good a chance of being saved as the wisest church-member that ever lived! Mother thought her inclined to be mistress of an establishment over which she might have sole control.

Abram owned a house, a garden, and kept pigs, hens, and a cow; these were his themes of conversation.

Mother could not help thinking he was influenced by Temperance's fortune.

She was worth two thousand dollars, at least.