“I would have been, Uncle Barnabas, if she had not cared for Joe!”
“I know it, Dave, but you hev a sweet little gal who will make you happy.”
The governor’s face lighted in a look of exquisite happiness.
“I have, Uncle Barnabas. We will go to see her this evening.”
“I’d like to see her, sartain. Hain’t seen her 257 sence the night you was elected. And, Dave,” with a sheepish grin, “I’m a-goin’ to git spliced myself.”
“What? No! May I guess, Uncle Barnabas––Miss Rhody?”
“Dave, you air a knowin’ one. Yes, it’s her! Whenever we set down to our full table I got to thinkin’ of that poor little woman a-settin’ down alone, and I’ve never yet knowed a woman livin’ alone to feed right. They allers eat bean soup or prunes, and call it a meal.”
“I am more glad than I can tell you, Uncle Barnabas, and I shall insist on giving the bride away. But what will Penny think about some one stepping in?”
“Wal, Dave, I’ll allow I wuz skeered to tell Penny, and it tuk a hull lot of bracin’ to do it, and what do you suppose she sed? She sez, ‘I’ve bin wantin’ tew quit these six years, and now, thank the Lord, I’ve got the chance.’”
“Why, what in the world did she want to leave for?”