The Grinder Papers — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GRINDER PAPERS. 21 always says ‘love.’ ‘‘I’m in such haste I can’t stay. See you at the opera Wednesday, I hope ;” and right glad was'I to see her go. But, goodness! from bad to worse was all I had to hope for that day. ‘There was Cousin Charity shaking hands with all the shopmen at the first counter. ‘‘ How are you?” she said. ‘‘I don’t know which is the boss, but I’m glad to be acquainted? Only come down two days ago, or I should have been here before I calculate to do all my shopping here while I stay, and so I came over with Cousin Marthy to get acquainted.” Then she happened to see three or four little cash boys, and down on them she pounced. ‘‘Mr. Stewart’s little sons, I suppose,’ how near of an age—some of ‘em must be twins. Come here, my dears, and kiss me; I am Aunty Grinder from Perkins- ) she said. ‘‘ Dear me, burg.” And she did kiss them, as true as I’m a sinner, every one of them in sight. People were staring at heras if she were a show. Then she turned to a young man who was measuring lace, and asked him if they ‘‘had any calico.” ‘‘Because if there isn’t any I’ll come to-morrow,” she said. ‘“‘T’m visiting, and haven’t anything to do.” It was an excuse to get her away, and soon she was looking at prints, and busy enough to keep quiet for five minutes. ‘‘What d’ye ask for this, now?” said she, at last. | ‘That pattern,” said the shopman she spoke to, ‘‘is seventy- five cents, com. co comicbooks