Crowley
gazed admiringly at the Governor until he disappeared from view.
Alone, in the kitchen, she gave vent to her feelings.
"The foine gintleman that he is. 'How do you do, Mrs. Crowley.' sez
he, and he shakes me hand as jintly as if I was a born lady. And the
pretty sister that he has, an' the beautiful wife. An' he's the
President of the State, an' sez he, 'Mrs. Crowley, how do you do, an'
it's delighted I am to see you again.'"
Mrs. Crowley wiped her eyes with her apron and resumed her household
duties, occasionally repeating, "'How do you do, Mrs. Crowley.' When
Dan comes to-night I'll tell him what the Governor said."
Hiram soon joined the party, it being his night off. As of old, he
stammered, or stuttered, when excited, and the sight of Quincy and
Alice was enough to entirely disorganize his speaking apparatus.
"Ain't this jolly?" said he. "Just like old times. I heerd you was at
Miss Hawkinses, but I didn't think as how you'd git round here so
quick. But we're mighty glad to see 'em, ain't we, Mandy? I hope
you're all as hungry as I am." He went to the kitchen door and
called, "Mrs. Crowley, we're waiting for the supper."
"How I wish Uncle Ike could be with us," said Alice.
"Why can't you call him?" asked Quincy.
"He's too weak in his legs to come down," said Mandy.
"I'll fetch him," and Quincy bounded up stairs, while Mandy got a
place ready for him.
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