Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/30

 if he didn’t think I may amount to something by and by.

“Aunt Elizabeth does not approve of Mr. Johnson. She thinks his theology is not sound. He said in his sermon last Sunday that there was some good in Buddhism.

“‘He will be saying that there is some good in Popery next,’ said Aunt Elizabeth indignantly at the dinner table.

“There be some good in Buddhism. I must ask Dean about it when he comes home.

“March 2, 19—

“We were all at a funeral today—old Mrs. Sarah Paul. I have always liked going to funerals. When I said that, Aunt Elizabeth looked shocked and Aunt Laura said, ‘Oh, Emily !’ I rather like to shock Aunt Elizabeth, but I never feel comfortable if I worry Aunt Laura—she’s such a darling—so I explained—or tried to. It is sometimes very hard to explain things to Aunt Elizabeth.

“‘Funerals are interesting,’ I said. ‘And humorous, too.’

“I think I only made matters worse by saying. And yet Aunt Elizabeth knew as well as I did that it was funny to see some of those relatives of Mrs. Paul, who have fought with and hated her for years—she amiable, if she is dead !—sitting there, holding their handkerchiefs to their faces and pretending to cry. I knew quite well what each and every one was thinking in his heart. Jake Paul was wondering if the old harridan had by any chance left him anything in her will—and Alice Paul, who knew wouldn’t get anything, was hoping Jake Paul wouldn’t either. That would satisfy. And Mrs. Charlie Paul was wondering how soon it would be decent to do the house over the way she had always wanted it and Mrs. Paul. And Aunty Min was worrying for fear there wouldn’t be enough baked meats for such a mob of fourth cousins that they’d never expected and didn’t want, and Lisette Paul was counting the people and feeling vexed because there wasn’t as large an attend-