"Well, good-bye," said Mrs. Gerrish, with a genteel prolongation of the
last syllable.
Mr. Gerrish followed his guests down the store, and even out upon the
sidewalk, where he presided with unheeded hospitality over the superfluous
politeness of Putney and Dr. Morrell in putting Mrs. Munger and Annie into
the phaeton. Mrs. Munger attempted to drive away without having taken up
her hitching weight.
"I suppose that there isn't a post in this town that my wife hasn't tried
to pull up in that way," said Putney gravely.
The doctor doubled himself down with another fit of laughing.
Annie wanted to laugh too, but she did not like his laughing. She
questioned if it were not undignified. She felt that it might be
disrespectful. Then she asked herself why he should respect her.