"
"So it seems," said the woman sarcastically.
"A likely story," said the man.
"We weren't born yesterday," added the woman.
Madam Black-and-White didn't say anything; but when the other two made
their pretty speeches she doubled up in a silent convulsion of mirth,
shaking her head from side to side and beating the air with her hands.
Rilla, stung by the disagreeable attitude of the Chapleys, regained her
self-possession and lost her temper. She sat up in bed and said in her
haughtiest voice, "I do not know when you were born, or where, but it
must have been somewhere where very peculiar manners were taught. If you
will have the decency to leave my room--er--this room--until I can
get up and dress I shall not transgress upon your hospitality"--Rilla
was killingly sarcastic--"any longer. And I shall pay you amply for the
food we have eaten and the night's lodging I have taken."
The black-and-white apparition went through the motion of clapping her
hands, but not a sound did she make. Perhaps Mr. Chapley was cowed by
Rilla's tone--or perhaps he was appeased at the prospect of payment; at
all events, he spoke more civilly.
"Well, that's fair. If you pay up it's all right."
"She shall do no such thing as pay you," said Madam Black-and-White in a
surprisingly clear, resolute, authoritative tone of voice. "If you
haven't got any shame for yourself, Robert Chapley, you've got a
mother-in-law who can be ashamed for you.
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