Cousin Maude

One day he found her giving directions to two or three men who were

papering, painting, and whitewashing Maude's room, and then, as John

remarked, he seemed more like himself than he had done before since

his last marriage.

"If Maude is going to be blind," he said, "it can make no difference

with her how her chamber looks, and 'tis a maxim of mine to let well

enough alone."

"I wish you would cure yourself of those disagreeable maxims," was

the lady's cool reply, as, stepping to the head of the stairs, she

bade John "bring up the carpet, if it were whipped enough."

"Allow me to ask what you are going to do with it?" said the doctor,

as from the windows he saw the back parlor carpet swinging on the

line.

"Why, I told you I was going to fit up Maude's room. She is coming

home in a week, you know, and I am preparing a surprise. I have

ordered a few pieces of light furniture from the cabinet-maker's,

and I think her chamber would look nicely if the walls were only a

little higher. They can't be raised, I suppose?"

She was perfectly collected, and no queen on her throne ever issued

her orders with greater confidence in their being obeyed; and when

that night she said to her husband, "These men must have their pay,"

he had no alternative but to open his purse and give her what she

asked. Thus it was with everything.

"Ki, aint him cotchin' it good?" was John's mental comment, as he

daily watched the proceedings, and while Hannah pronounced him "the

hen-peck-ed-est man she had ever seen," the amused villagers knew

that will had met will, and been conquered!