The black-and-white apparition went through the motion of clapping her hands , but not a sound did she make . Whether he was cowed by Kate 's tone , or appeased by the prospect of payment , I know not , but Mr. Chapman spoke more civilly . `` Well , that 's fair . If you pay up it 's all right . '' `` They shall do no such thing as pay you , '' said Madam Black-and-White in a surprisingly clear , resolute , authoritative voice . `` If you have n't any shame for yourself , Robert Chapman , you 've got a mother-in-law who can be ashamed for you . No strangers shall be charged for food or lodging in any house where Mrs. Matilda Pitman lives . Remember that I 've come down in the world , but I have n't forgot all decency for all that . I knew you was a skinflint when Amelia married you and you 've made her as bad as yourself . But I 'm boss here yet . Here , you , Robert Chapman , take yourself out of here and let those girls get dressed . And you , Amelia , go downstairs and cook a breakfast for them . '' I never , in all my life , saw anything like the abject meekness with which those two big people obeyed that mite . They went , and stood not upon the order of their going . As the door closed behind them , Mrs. Matilda Pitman laughed silently , and rocked from side to side in her merriment . `` Ai n't it funny ? '' she said . `` I mostly lets them run the length of their tether but sometimes I has to pull them up , and then I does it with a jerk . Now , you can take your time about dressing , my dears , and I 'll go down and keep them in order , the mean scalawags . '' When we descended the stairs we found a smoking-hot breakfast on the table .
Mr. Chapman was nowhere to be seen , and Mrs. Chapman was cutting bread XXXXX a sulky air .
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