It didn't used to be. When you knew
me 'twas Thankful Cahoon. My grandmother, on my father's side, was your
mother's own cousin. Her name was Matilda Myrick. That makes you and me
sort of distant relations, Mr. Cobb."
If she expected this statement to have the effect of making the little
man more cordial she was disappointed. In fact, if it had any effect at
all, it was the opposite, judging by his manner and expression. His only
comments on the disclosure of kinship were a "Humph!" and a brief "Want
to know!" He stared at Thankful and she at him. Then he said:
"Well?"
Mrs. Barnes was astonished.
"Well?" she repeated. "What's well? What do you mean by that?"
"Nothin's I know of. You said you came to see me about some business or
other. What sort of business?"
"I came to see you about gettin' some money. I need some money just now
and--"
Solomon interrupted her.
"Humph!" he grunted. "I cal'lated as much."
"You cal'lated it! For the land sakes--why?"
"Because you begun by sayin' you was a relation of mine. I've got a good
many relations floatin' around loose and there ain't nary one of 'em
ever come to see me unless 'twas to get money. If I give money to all my
relations that asked for it I'd be a dum sight poorer'n I be now."
Thankful was by this time thoroughly angry.
"Look here," she snapped. "If I'd come to you expectin' you to GIVE me
any money I'd be an idiot as well as a relation. Far's that last part
goes I ain't any prouder of it than you are.
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