A Question of Duty
It
was in my mind that we should depart at once,
because of not knowing how to conduct ourselves properly.
There was no thought that we, being Friends, should
hold ourselves the equals in rank of any whom we
met; but rather I asked myself how we could make
excuse to our hostess, to the end that we might make
shift for ourselves among the common people.
When I gave words to the thought Jethro would hear
none of it; but declared that since, without any
scheming on our part we had come into such luxury, we were
bound to enjoy it, although he did admit that two
nail-makers, or turkey-trappers, like ourselves, were out
of place in such a dwelling.
It was well we were thus left alone during a certain
short time, since it gave us opportunity to remember
that we had been bred to gentle ways, even though our
homes were so far different from this one, and when
we had combed our hair to a nicety, pulling out our
wrist-falls till the lace came somewhere near to hiding
our grimy hands, we went down the stairs that had on
them a soft, beautiful covering, far too rich, as it seemed
to me, for one's shoes.
The lad who had brought us hither had departed
while yet we were in the chamber trying to become
acquainted with so much of splendor, and when we went
to the room below, the girl Amy took upon herself the
duty of hostess, as if we were her own particular guests.
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