So he said he'd call again this
evening or to-morrow morning, just which 'd be most agreeable, and
expected I'd budge then, sure, but I didn't show any signs of it; and I
told him rightly, I guessed one time would be about as agreeable as
another; and I suppose he thought he wouldn't show mad before such common
bred folks. He smiled that window-glass looking smile of his, and says;
'Ah, thank you; now I won't detain you any longer, Mrs. Keeler,' and out
he went.
"I suppose he's come down to smooth everything over, and have it hushed
up with Beck and her folks. Well, money'll do a good deal for a man, but
it wouldn't stand him much if he got into George Olver's hands. However,
teacher," concluded Madeline, in a sprightly tone; "give the Devil his
due. It's better'n as if he'd run off and never showed his head again;
and I don't suppose he'll get much satisfaction out of you, if you do see
him, teacher. It's better to trust honest folks than rogues, and nobody
knows that better than the rogues themselves."
I knew that this last clause was not designed as a personal thrust by
Madeline, yet I could not help musing a little over it, smilingly, after
she had gone.
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