Strout told his wife that Mr.
Sawyer had fixed it so he couldn't get control of the business, but
that he would put a flea in his ear some fine day.
"I can't see through it," said Bessie Strout. "Why have your feelings
towards Mr. Sawyer changed so? I think he is a perfect gentleman."
"So he is. So am I. But we grew on different bushes." Feeling that he
did not wish to confess that jealousy of others' attainments was the
real foundation of his hostility, Mr. Strout took his departure. Two
hours later Mrs. Strout was delighted at receiving a call from Miss
Maude Sawyer and the Governor's wife.
Quincy wished to have a talk with 'Zekiel about Uncle Ike, so he
walked over to the old Putnam house. He had asked his wife to
accompany him, but she declined.
"That house gives me the shivers," she had said. "I never can forget
the ordeal I went through the day that Aunt Heppy died. I gave the
house to 'Zekiel because I never could have lived in it. Maude and I
are going to call on Mrs. Strout."
Quincy found 'Zekiel in the barn, and broached the matter on his mind
at once.
"I'm glad you spoke of it," said 'Zekiel. "I was over to Mandy's
yesterday and Uncle Ike wants to come and live with us. Not that he's
dissatisfied where he is, for he likes Mandy and the children, and
they do everything to make him comfortable--but it's the stairs.
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