--Good morning Mis' Tillman," he said to the smiling
lady. "I'll come to the p'int at once. My youngest daughter has
married Mark Wilson against my will, an' gone away from town, an'
the older one's chosen a husband still less to my likin'. Do you
want to come and housekeep for me?"
"I surmised something was going on," re-turned Mrs. Tillman. "I
saw Patty and Mark drive away early this morning, with Mr. and
Mrs. Wilson wrapping the girl up and putting a hot soapstone in
the sleigh, and consid'able kissing and hugging thrown in."
This knowledge added fuel to the flame that was burning fiercely
in the Deacon's breast.
"Well, how about the housekeeping he asked, trying not to show
his eagerness, and not recognizing himself at all in the
enterprise in which he found himself indulging.
"I 'm very comfortable here," the lady responded artfully, "and I
don't know 's I care to make any change, thank you. I didn't like
the village much at first, after living in larger places, but now
I'm acquainted, it kind of gains on me.
Her reply was carefully framed, for her mind worked with great
rapidity, and she was mistress of the situation almost as soon as
she saw the Deacon alighting from his sleigh. He was not the sort
of man to be a casual caller, and his manner bespoke an urgent
errand.
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