I used to like going there better when he was alive . Too many old women do n't suit me . '' `` Oh , Dan , Cousin Mattie and her sisters-in-law are just as nice and kind as they can be , '' reproached Cecily . `` Oh , they 're kind enough , but they never seem to see that a fellow gets over being five years old if he only lives long enough , '' retorted Dan . `` I know a story about Cousin Mattie 's husband , '' said the Story Girl . `` His name was Ebenezer , you know -- '' `` Is it any wonder he was thin and stunted looking ? '' said Dan . `` Ebenezer is just as nice a name as Daniel , '' said Felicity . `` Do you REALLY think so , my angel ? '' inquired Dan , in honey-sweet tones . `` Go on . Remember your second resolution , '' I whispered to the Story Girl , who was stalking along with an outraged expression . The Story Girl swallowed something and went on . `` Cousin Ebenezer had a horror of borrowing . He thought it was simply a dreadful disgrace to borrow ANYTHING . Well , you know he and Cousin Mattie used to live in Carlisle , where the Rays now live . This was when Grandfather King was alive . One day Cousin Ebenezer came up the hill and into the kitchen where all the family were . Uncle Roger said he looked as if he had been stealing sheep . He sat for a whole hour in the kitchen and hardly spoke a word , but just looked miserable .
At last he got up and said in a desperate sort of way , ` Uncle Abraham , can I speak with you in private XXXXX a minute ? '
about as for in into of old on second to