her eyes, Fidelia braced up and began to use some common sense and some mejumness herself. She spoke out of her own accord one afternoon, and sez she:
"I have three night-shirts done, embroidered for Alcander, and I am not goin' to make any more of them for Christmas; and you, Minnie," sez she, turnin' to the pert-faced domestic, "you may wash them and do them up the next time you wash."
"Why," sez Minnie, "I can't do the washin' and ironin' as well as you can, Mis' Pogram. Mr. Pogram won't like my ironin', I am sure."
"Well, he will have to stand it," sez Fidelia, lookin' some pale, but real decided; "and when you broil the steak for supper, Minnie, be sure you don't burn it; have a hot platter ready for it, and put on the butter and pepper and salt even, and bring it to the table pipin' hot."
The girl's hauty feathers seemed to droop, and she spoke more respectful to Fidelia than I had hearn her speak, and sez she, "I will do my best, mom."
And sez Fidelia, "If Mr. Pogram comes here before we do, tell him that Josiah Allen's wife and I have gone out for a long drive."
In my inmost heart I said, "Bravo, Fidelia! bravo!" But outside I only said, "I shall be real glad to have a good long drive with you, Fidelia; it will put me in mind of old times."
So Fidelia ordered her pony and low phaeton brought to the door and we sot off. It wuz a very comfortable carriage, cushioned with blue. I see that Alcander did his part by Fidelia in furnishin' comforts and luxuries for her, only, bein' so much engaged in incense-burnin' and embroidery, she couldn't take advantage of 'em. As
