Meadowby people said that he beat his wife when `` on the spree , '' but Josephine did not believe that , because she did not think that Ida could keep from telling her if it were so . Ida Sentner was not given to bearing her trials in silence . Had it not been for Josephine 's assistance , Tom Sentner 's family would have stood an excellent chance of starvation . Josephine practically kept them , and her generosity never failed or stinted . She fed and clothed her nephews and nieces , and all the gray socks whose destination puzzled David so much went to the Sentners . As for Josephine herself , she had a good farm , a comfortable house , a plump bank account , and was an independent , unworried woman . And yet , in the face of all this , Mrs. Tom Sentner could bewail the fact that Josephine had no husband to look out for her . Josephine shrugged her shoulders and gave up the conundrum , merely saying ironically , in reply to her sister 's remark : `` And go to live with Zillah Hartley ? '' `` You know very well you would n't have to do that . Ever since John Hartley 's wife at the Creek died he 's been wanting Zillah to go and keep house for him , and if David got married Zillah 'd go quick . Catch her staying there if you were mistress ! And David has such a beautiful house ! It 's ten times finer than yours , though I do n't deny yours is comfortable . And his farm is the best in Meadowby and joins yours . Think what a beautiful property they 'd make together . You 're all right now , Josephine , but what will you do when you get old and have nobody to take care of you ? I declare the thought worries me at night till I ca n't sleep . '' `` I should have thought you had enough worries of your own to keep you awake at nights without taking over any of mine , '' said Josephine drily . `` As for old age , it 's a good ways off for me yet . When your Jack gets old enough to have some sense he can come here and live with me .
But I 'm not going XXXXX marry David Hartley , you can depend on that , Ida , my dear .
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