? ? ? ? 'Perhaps she thinks so, too; it's not her fault,' said I.
? ? ? ? 'I suppose not,' returned my aunt, rather grudging the admission; 'but it's very aggravating. However, she's Barkis now. That's some comfort. Barkis is uncommonly fond of you, Trot.'
? ? ? ? 'There is nothing she would leave undone to prove it,' said I.
? ? ? ? 'Nothing, I believe,' returned my aunt. 'Here, the poor fool has been begging and praying about handing over some of her money - because she has got too much of it. A simpleton!'
? ? ? ? My aunt's tears of pleasure were positively trickling down into the warm ale.
? ? ? ? 'She's the most ridiculous creature that ever was born,' said my aunt. 'I knew, from the first moment when I saw her with that poor dear blessed baby of a mother of yours, that she was the most ridiculous of mortals. But there are good points in Barkis!'
? ? ? ? Affecting to laugh, she got an opportunity of putting her hand to her eyes. Having availed herself of it, she resumed her toast and her discourse together.
? ? ? ? 'Ah! Mercy upon us!' sighed my aunt. 'I know all about it, Trot! Barkis and myself had quite a gossip while you were out with Dick.
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