Captain Obed had chosen a poor topic if he desired a lengthy conversation.
Mrs.Pease lived at the farther end of the village and when Caleb reached there he was met by the lady's niece, Emma Snow.
"Aunt Melindy's real poorly," said Emma.

"She's been so for 'most three days.

I'm stayin' here with her till she gets better.

No, she ain't had time to do your mendin' yet.

Anyhow it's so nice and warm you don't need the things, that's a comfort." It may have been a comfort to her, but it was not to Caleb.