`` Do you really read my poor serial up here , and do me the honor to like it ? '' asked the novelist , both flattered and amused , for his work was of the aesthetic sort , microscopic studies of character , and careful pictures of modern life . `` Sakes alive , why should n't we ? '' cried Aunt Plumy . `` We have some eddication , though we ai n't very genteel . We 've got a town libry , kep up by the women mostly , with fairs and tea parties and so on . We have all the magazines reg ` lar , and Saul reads out the pieces while Ruth sews and I knit , my eyes bein ' poor . Our winter is long and evenins would be kinder lonesome if we did n't have novils and newspapers to cheer 'em up . '' `` I am very glad I can help to beguile them for you . Now tell me what you honestly think of my work ? Criticism is always valuable , and I should really like yours , Mrs. Basset , '' said Randal , wondering what the good woman would make of the delicate analysis and worldly wisdom on which he prided himself . Short work , as Aunt Plumy soon showed him , for she rather enjoyed freeing her mind at all times , and decidedly resented the insinuation that country folk could not appreciate light literature as well as city people . `` I ai n't no great of a jedge about anything but nat ` ralness of books , and it really does seem as if some of your men and women was dreadful uncomfortable creaters . ` Pears to me it ai n't wise to be always pickin ' ourselves to pieces and pryin ' into things that ought to come gradual by way of experience and the visitations of Providence . Flowers wo n't blow worth a cent ef you pull 'em open . Better wait and see what they can do alone . I do relish the smart sayins , the odd ways of furrin parts , and the sarcastic slaps at folkses weak spots . But massy knows , we ca n't live on spice-cake and Charlotte Ruche , and I do feel as if books was more sustainin ' ef they was full of every-day people and things , like good bread and butter . Them that goes to the heart and ai n't soon forgotten is the kind I hanker for . Mis Terry 's books now , and Mis Stowe 's , and Dickens 's Christmas pieces , -- them is real sweet and cheerin ' , to my mind . ''
As the blunt old lady paused it was evident she had produced a sensation , for Saul smiled at the fire , XXXXX looked dismayed at this assault upon one of her idols , and the young ladies were both astonished and amused at the keenness of the new critic who dared express what they had often felt .
Basset Ruth Saul Stowe cheerin evenins folkses jedge kep novils