When Alexander Abraham would n't talk I let him alone ; and when he would I just said as sarcastic things as he did , only I said them smiling and pleasant . I could see he had a wholesome awe for me . But now and then he seemed to forget his disposition and talked like a human being . We had one or two real interesting conversations . Alexander Abraham was an intelligent man , though he had got terribly warped . I told him once I thought he must have been nice when he was a boy . One day he astonished me by appearing at the dinner table with his hair brushed and a white collar on . We had a tiptop dinner that day , and I had made a pudding that was far too good for a woman hater . When Alexander Abraham had disposed of two large platefuls of it , he sighed and said , `` You can certainly cook . It 's a pity you are such a detestable crank in other respects . '' `` It 's kind of convenient being a crank , '' I said . `` People are careful how they meddle with you . Have n't you found that out in your own experience ? '' `` I am NOT a crank , '' growled Alexander Abraham resentfully . `` All I ask is to be let alone . '' `` That 's the very crankiest kind of crank , '' I said . `` A person who wants to be let alone flies in the face of Providence , who decreed that folks for their own good were not to be let alone . But cheer up , Mr. Bennett . The quarantine will be up on Tuesday and then you 'll certainly be let alone for the rest of your natural life , as far as William Adolphus and I are concerned . You may then return to your wallowing in the mire and be as dirty and comfortable as of yore . ''
Alexander XXXXX growled again .
Abraham Adolphus Bennett Providence day hater mire platefuls pudding quarantine