"I am older now," she explained in superior, lofty tones, "and of course
I hev to think more about my looks than I used ter."
He gazed at her with such ardent admiration that she was seized with an impulse to don her white dress and impress his young fancy still further.
"He ain't wuth it, though," her sober second thought decided.
"What does yer think I come fer, Amarilly?"
"I dunno, 'less Mr. Vedder sent you."
"He did, sorter. You see, I'm invited to one of them kind of parties whar you dress up ter be the name of a book. One of the stock company is givin' it fer her kids. I don't know the name of any book except Diamond Dick and The Curse of Gold, and I didn't know how to rig up fer them. I went to Vedder, and he sez thar's a book what's called The Little Minister, and I could rent yer surplus and tog out in it. He said you would take tucks in it fer me."
"Sure I will. I'll fix it now while you wait, Pete."
"Say, Amarilly, I thought as how, seein' we are both in the perfesshun, sorter, you'd come down on your price."
"Sure thing, Pete. I won't charge you nothin' fer it."
"Yes; I wanter pay. I'll tell you what, Amarilly, couldn't you take it out in gum? I hed a hull lot left over when the theayter shut down. It'll git stale ef I keep it much longer, and I'd like to git some of it offen my hands."