"
"And a fine one it is," said Timothy, admiringly.
Mrs. Crump insisted that Ida had flattered her, but this the child
would not admit. "I couldn't make it look as good as you, mother,"
she said. "I tried to, but somehow I couldn't succeed as well as I
wanted to."
"You wouldn't have that difficulty with Aunt Rachel," said Jack,
roguishly.
Ida, with difficulty, suppressed a laugh.
"I see," said Aunt Rachel, with severe resignation, "that you've
taken to ridiculing your poor aunt again. But it's what I expect. I
don't never expect any consideration in this house. I was born to be
a martyr, and I expect I shall fulfil my destiny. If my own
relations laugh at me, of course I can't expect anything better from
other folks. But I sha'n't be long in the way. I've had a cough for
some time past, and I expect I'm in a consumption."
"You make too much of a little thing, Rachel," said the cooper. "I
don't think Jack meant anything."
"I'm sure, what I said was complimentary," said Jack.
Rachel shook her head incredulously.
"Yes it was. Ask Ida. Why won't you draw Aunt Rachel, Ida? I think
she'd make a capital picture."
"So I will," said Ida, hesitatingly, "if she will let me."
"Now, Aunt Rachel, there's a chance for you," said Jack. "I advise
you to improve it. When it's finished, it can be hung up at the Art
Rooms, and who knows but you may secure a husband by it?"
"I wouldn't marry," said his aunt, firmly compressing her lips, "not
if anybody'd go down on their knees to me.
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