y a sight to see. They was for puttin' me in the
middle, but I was flat for a outside so 's I could breathe, 'n' in the
end Mrs. Jilkins set between me 'n' Gran'ma Mullins, 'n' Mrs. Macy set
with Mr. Jilkins--what of her did n't hang over outside."

"What did--" began Mrs. Lathrop.

"There was n't no other way to get 'em both there--that's why," said
Susan; "there was them as went on the cars, but that was n't no great
success, for they was so late that Rufus had his lid all on afore they
got there, so they really had very little for their money. 'N' besides,
if we 'd all gone on the cars, how was we to get to the grave? Rufus was
well this side o' Meadville, 'n' the cemetery's some further this way,
'n' whatever your views may be I hope you don't mind my sayin' right out
as other folks' views is always more sensible. You can't be expected to
know much, Mrs. Lathrop, with your few church privileges 'n' your parlor
too small for the sewin' society; but if you was less inclined to talk
'n' more inclined to listen to me I may in confidence remark as you
_might_ learn about the funeral--even if you never learned nothin' else
in this world."

Mrs. Lathrop was again silent forthwith.

"Drivin' over we all talked about Rufus. We had really a very pleasant
ride, for we was all disposed to view him kindly goin' over. Mrs. Macy
told over again what a superior baby he was, 'n' Gran'ma Mullins told
over again what a superior boy he was, 'n' Mrs. Macy said as Mrs. Kitts
said as he was the talk o' the town when he was twenty-one. Gran'ma
Mullins did n't remember much about him then, 'cause she got married
along about that time, 'n' she 's always said that them who gets married
don't need nothin' else to do for one while; but Mrs. Macy said Rufus
was one o' the most superior young men as Mrs. Kitts ever see. She said
as old Mr. Tilley took him right into the heart 'n' soul o' his
drug-store jus' because his mother was his cousin, 'n' even then the
general feelin' was as he was way above the business. Mrs. Macy said as
Mrs. Kitts said she 'd never forget goin' in one day for some salts 'n'
finding Rufus all alone. Why, she said she never had known he was so
head 'n' shoulders above other people! She says she 's told the story a
million times 'n' it 's still fresh in her mind. She said she asked for
simple salts, 'n' he begun right off about a comet. She felt awful
uncomfortable to have to say as she had n't seen no comet, 'n' then i