"Oh, come now, I am married." Elvira did not feel herself insulted.

"These United States," she cried, "they cackle over the word 'freedom' like so many hens that have each of them laid an egg and go strutting and boasting while the housewife empties their nests.

The housewife represents the natural course of events, and in this case her name is 'Mrs.Mobocracy.'" At other times, after a long period of silence, Elvira would burst forth in excited soliloquy audible to Susannah and others about her.

On the last day when they were descending the hills to the Mississippi her increasing excitement culminated in a greater demonstration.

The sun was shining, and a clear frost had hardened the roads.