`` That fool dunno what he 's talking about , '' was all he would say . Deborah had her share of curiosity . The paper was the National Gazette and she knew that their next-door neighbour , James Pennan , took it . She went over that evening and borrowed it , saying that their own had been burned before she had had time to read the serial in it . With one exception she read all its columns carefully without finding anything to explain her husband 's anger . Then she doubtfully plunged into the exception ... a column of `` Stage Notes . '' Halfway down she came upon an adverse criticism of Joscelyn Morgan and her new play . It was malicious and vituperative . Deborah Morgan 's old eyes sparkled dangerously as she read it . `` I guess somebody is pretty jealous of Josie , '' she muttered . `` I do n't wonder Pa was riled up . But I guess she can hold her own . She 's a Morgan . '' No long time after this Cyrus took a notion he 'd like a trip to the city . He 'd like to see the Horse Fair and look up Cousin Hiram Morgan 's folks . `` Hiram and me used to be great chums , Mother . And we 're getting kind of mossy , I guess , never stirring out of Spring Valley . Let 's go and dissipate for a week -- what say ? '' Deborah agreed readily , albeit of late years she had been much averse to going far from home and had never at any time been very fond of Cousin Hiram 's wife . Cyrus was as pleased as a child over their trip .
On the second day of their sojourn in the city he slipped away when Deborah had gone shopping with Mrs. XXXXX and hurried through the streets to the Green Square Theatre with a hang-dog look .
Cyrus Deborah Hiram Josie Mother Valley dunno mossy week years