`` No , thank you , ma'am , '' said Van , decidedly . `` And why not , pray ? '' cried the old lady , with a shrillness that made him jump , and Toady back to the door precipitately . `` Because , if you 'll excuse my speaking plainly , I think you owe anything you may have to spare to your niece , Mrs. Snow ; '' and , having freed his mind , Van joined Toady , ready to fly if necessary . `` You 're an idiot , sir , '' began Aunt Kipp , in a rage again . `` Thank you , ma'am . '' And Van actually laughed and bowed in return for the compliment . `` Hold your tongue , sir , '' snapped the old lady . `` You 're a fool and Sophy is another . She 's no strength of mind , no sense about anything ; and would make ducks and drakes of my money in less than no time if I gave it to her , as I 've thought of doing . '' `` Mrs. Kipp , you forget who you are speaking to . Mrs. Snow 's sons love and respect her if you do n't , and they wo n't hear anything untrue or unkind said of a good woman , a devoted mother , and an almost friendless widow . '' Van was n't a dignified man at all , but as he said that with a sudden flash of his mild eyes , there was something in his face and manner that daunted Aunt Kipp more than the small fist belligerently shaken at her from behind the sofa . The poor old soul was cross , and worried , and ashamed of herself , and being as feeble-minded as Sophy in many respects , she suddenly burst into tears , and , covering her face with the gay handkerchief , cried as if bent on floating the red ship in a sea of salt water without delay . `` I 'm a poor , lonely , abused old woman , '' she moaned , with a green monkey at each eye . `` No one loves me , or minds me , or thanks me when I want to help 'em . My money 's only a worryment and a burden , and I do n't know what to do with it , for people I do n't want to leave it to ought to have it , and people I do like wo n't take it . Oh , deary me , what shall I do ! what shall I do ! '' `` Shall I tell you , ma'am ? ''
asked XXXXX , gently , for , though she was a very provoking old lady , he pitied and wished to help her .
Kipp Snow Sophy Toady Van drakes fist handkerchief return worryment