`` I am sure I hope so , '' said Miss Cornelia , none too hopefully . `` But speaking of the devil , I am positive that Billy Booth is possessed by him now . Have you heard of Billy 's latest performance ? '' `` No , what was that ? '' `` He 's gone and burned up his wife 's new , brown broadcloth suit , that she paid twenty-five dollars for in Charlottetown , because he declares the men looked too admiring at her when she wore it to church the first time . Was n't that like a man ? '' `` Mistress Booth IS mighty pretty , and brown 's her color , '' said Captain Jim reflectively . `` Is that any good reason why he should poke her new suit into the kitchen stove ? Billy Booth is a jealous fool , and he makes his wife 's life miserable . She 's cried all the week about her suit . Oh , Anne , I wish I could write like you , believe ME . Would n't I score some of the men round here ! '' `` Those Booths are all a mite queer , '' said Captain Jim . `` Billy seemed the sanest of the lot till he got married and then this queer jealous streak cropped out in him . His brother Daniel , now , was always odd . '' `` Took tantrums every few days or so and would n't get out of bed , '' said Miss Cornelia with a relish . `` His wife would have to do all the barn work till he got over his spell . When he died people wrote her letters of condolence ; if I 'd written anything it would have been one of congratulation . Their father , old Abram Booth , was a disgusting old sot . He was drunk at his wife 's funeral , and kept reeling round and hiccuping ' I did n't dri -- i -- i -- nk much but I feel a -- a -- awfully que -- e -- e -- r. ' I gave him a good jab in the back with my umbrella when he came near me , and it sobered him up until they got the casket out of the house .
Young Johnny XXXXX was to have been married yesterday , but he could n't be because he 's gone and got the mumps .
Anne Billy Booth Charlottetown Cornelia Jim broadcloth casket days sot