Madeline rendered the brief and business-like epistle with the full
effect of her peculiarly thrilling intonation, and Grandma listened with
rapt attention; but, meanwhile, Grandpa Keeler and the two little Keelers
found time surreptitiously to dispose of nearly a whole pie, with the
serious aspect of those who will not allow a mere fleeting diversion to
hinder them in the improvement of a rare opportunity.
Having declined to partake of pie, through Grandma Keeler's kind
interposition, I was not further urged.
"Thar', poor darlin'," said she; "fix her up a good cup o' your golden
seal, pa, and she shall go to bed right in the parlor to-night, seem' as
we didn't get the letter, and hain't got her room fixed upstairs. It's
all nice and warm, and thar', darlin', thar', we're r'al good for nussin'
folks up."
In the parlor, I saw only one great, delicious object--a bed. My weary
brain hardly exaggerated its dimensions, which could not have failed to
strike with astonishment even the most indifferent observer. It was long;
it was broad; it was deep; and, alas! it was high, I disrobed as best I
might, and stood before it, gazing despairingly up at its snowy summit.
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