? ? ? ? Encouraged by these gracious words, and by my aunt's extending her hand, Barkis came forward, and took the hand, and curtseyed her acknowledgements.
? ? ? ? 'We are older than we were, I see,' said my aunt. 'We have only met each other once before, you know. A nice business we made of it then! Trot, my dear, another cup.'
? ? ? ? I handed it dutifully to my aunt, who was in her usual inflexible state of figure; and ventured a remonstrance with her on the subject of her sitting on a box.
? ? ? ? 'Let me draw the sofa here, or the easy-chair, aunt,' said I. 'Why should you be so uncomfortable?'
? ? ? ? 'Thank you, Trot,' replied my aunt, 'I prefer to sit upon my property.' Here my aunt looked hard at Mrs. Crupp, and observed, 'We needn't trouble you to wait, ma'am.'
? ? ? ? 'Shall I put a little more tea in the pot afore I go, ma'am?' said Mrs. Crupp.
? ? ? ? 'No, I thank you, ma'am,' replied my aunt.
? ? ? ? 'Would you let me fetch another pat of butter, ma'am?' said Mrs. Crupp. 'Or would you be persuaded to try a new-laid hegg? or should I brile a rasher? Ain't there nothing I could do for your dear aunt, Mr. Copperfull?'
? ? ? ? 'Nothing, ma'am,' returned my aunt.
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