But,
Ishmael, what have you been killing, my man; for it was your rifle I
heard a few minutes agone, unless I have lost my skill in sounds."
"Poh! 'twas to frighten the hawk you see sailing above the rock."
"Hawk, indeed! at your time of day to be shooting at hawks and
buzzards, with eighteen open mouths to feed. Look at the bee, and at
the beaver, my good man, and learn to be a provider. Why, Ishmael! I
believe my soul," she continued, dropping the tow she was twisting on
a distaff, "the man is in that tent ag'in! More than half his time is
spent about the worthless, good-for-nothing--"
The sudden re-appearance of her husband closed the mouth of the wife;
and, as the former descended to the place where Esther had resumed her
employment, she was content to grumble forth her dissatisfaction,
instead of expressing it in more audible terms.
The dialogue that now took place between the affectionate pair was
sufficiently succinct and expressive. The woman was at first a little
brief and sullen in her answers, but care for her family soon rendered
her more complaisant.
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