Part 26 (1/2)
”I think you had better get your oats in,” she replied, smiling shyly.
”Besides, I have a dressmaker that just suits me--one that's made my dresses a good many years.”
”If she don't suit you, you're hard to be suited,” said he, laughing.
”Well, some day, after you are fixed up, I shall have to let you know how dilapidated I am.”
”Won't you do me a little favor?”
”Oh, yes! A dozen of 'em, big or little.”
”Please bring down this evening something that needs mending. I am so much better--”
”No, no! I wasn't hinting for you to do anything tonight.”
”But you've promised me,” she urged. ”Remember I've been resting nearly all day. I'm used to sewing, and earned my living at it.
Somehow, it don't seem natural for me to sit with idle hands.”
”If I hadn't promised--”
”But you have.”
”I suppose I'm fairly caught,” and he brought down a little of the most pressing of the mending.
”Now I'll reward you,” she said, handing him his pipe, well filled.
”You go in the parlor and have a quiet smoke. I won't be long in clearing up the kitchen.”
”What! Smoke in the parlor?”
”Yes, why not? I a.s.sure you I don't mind it.”
”Ha! Ha! Why didn't I think of it before--I might have kept the parlor and smoked Mrs. Mumpson out.”
”It won't be smoke that will keep me out.”
”I should hope not, or anything else. I must tell you how I DID have to smoke Mrs. Mumpson out at last,” and he did so with so much drollery that she again yielded to irrepressible laughter.
”Poor thing! I'm sorry for her,” she said.
”I'm sorry for Jane--poor little stray cat of a child! I hope we can do something for her some day,” and having lighted his pipe, he took up the county paper, left weekly in a hollow tree by the stage driver, and went into the parlor.
After freshening up the fire he sat down to read, but by the time she joined him the tired man was nodding. He tried to brighten up, but his eyes were heavy.
”You've worked hard today,” she said sympathetically.
”Well, I have,” he answered. ”I've not done such a good day's work in a year.”
”Then why don't you go to sleep at once?”
”It don't seem polite--”
”Please don't talk that way,” she interrupted. ”I don't mind being alone at all. I shall feel a great deal more at home if you forget all about ceremony.”