I believe this is your job,
ma'am?" said he, holding the shoe in the air for an instant.
"Yes," said the judge's wife. "I will sit down for a moment, if you
will allow me, while you finish it."
"Certainly, ma'am," said Sam, plying the needle and awl vigorously. He
looked up only for a second at a time during the next few moments, but
what he saw impressed him very favorably. Mrs. Prency was not a young
woman, but apparently she had a clear conscience and a good digestion,
for she sat with an entirely satisfied and cheerful air, with her
shoulders against the back of the chair, as if it were a real pleasure
to rest against something, while her cheeks flushed, probably from the
exertion of a rapid walk from some other portion of the town. Like any
other woman of good health, good character, and good principles, she
was a pleasing object to look upon, and the ex-convict looked at her
as often as he dared, with undisguised and respectful admiration. But
suddenly the uplifting of his eyes was stopped by a remark from the
lady herself, as she said,--
"Sam--Mr. Kimper, I've heard some remarks about your speech at the
experience-meeting the other night. You know I was there myself; you
remember I spoke to you as you came out?"
"Mrs. Prency, I know it; an' that isn't all; I'll remember it just as
long as I live.
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