Silas Bradford's Boy by Joseph C. Lincoln

Cousin Hettie called at the Bradford cottage that evening. So, too, as it happened, did Captain Abijah. Banks did not mention his call upon old Mr. Bartlett, and he did his best to keep the subject of what the latter had so contemptuously called the "bank swap" out of the conversation.

It would not stay out altogether, of course. Cousin Hettie dragged it in. She had a long tale to tell of more trouble with Mr. Payson, her lodger, and before she finished the names of Christopher Trent and "our Silie" were mentioned.