Why, he's ninety if he's a day, Blandina." She didn't reply but sot lookin' mournful but clever, and agin she sez, "This is a cold world." "Not here it hain't, not in St.Louis," sez I, wipin' my heated forward, but she went on: "My heart has gone out to him without any will of my own.

I feel that he has the makin' of a noble man in him." And I sez, "I guess he's made about all he can be on this spear." But seein' her mournful looks I added, "You're a clever critter, Blandina, that's what's the matter with you, you're so good hearted you mistake good nater and pity for love more'n half the time.

I don't believe," sez I feelin'ly, "I ever see a cleverer creeter than you are." And I meant it, every word I said.
But she repeated agin, "I love him, Aunt Samantha, with a pure, deep devotion." "Well," sez I, "if I wuz in your place I would take a little catnip tea and go to bed.

I'll steep some for you over my alcohol lamp." I knowed it wuz her good nater and her nerves that wuz wrought up instead of her heart, though catnip is good for the heart for all I know.

She'd got all nerved up readin' them dretful things and felt queer, I wuz sorry for Blandina to think she wuz so very sensitive to masculine influence.