He was less reluctant to talk by this time and, the
war creeping into the conversation, as it does into all
conversations nowadays, they spoke of recent happenings at home and
abroad. Mrs. Armstrong was surprised to find how well informed her
landlord was concerning the world struggle, its causes and its
progress.
"Why, no, ma'am," he said, in answer to a remark of hers; "I ain't
read it up much, as I know of, except in the newspapers. I ain't
an educated man. Maybe--" with his slow smile--"maybe you've
guessed as much as that already."
"I know that you have talked more intelligently on this war than
any one else I have heard since I came to this town," she declared,
emphatically. "Even Captain Hunniwell has never, in my hearing,
stated the case against Germany as clearly as you put it just now;
and I have heard him talk a good deal."
Jed was evidently greatly pleased, but he characteristically tried
not to show it. "Well, now, ma'am," he drawled, "I'm afraid you
ain't been to the post office much mail times. If you'd just drop
in there some evenin' and hear Gabe Bearse and Bluey Batcheldor
raise hob with the Kaiser you'd understand why the confidence of
the Allies is unshaken, as the Herald gave out this mornin'."
A little later he said, reflectively:
"You know, ma'am, it's an astonishin' thing to me, I can't get over
it, my sittin' here in this house, eatin' with you folks and
talkin' with you like this.
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