“Then you DIDN'T see us?”
“I saw you with some one—I don't know whom.”
“And you didn't tell Maw?”
“I did not. It was none of my business.”
He instantly saw the utter inconsistency of this speech in connection with the reason he believed he had in coming. But it was too late to recall it, and she was looking at him with a bright but singular expression.
“That Joe Masters is the conceitedest fellow goin'. I told him you could see his foolishness.”
“Ah, indeed.”
Mr. Ford pushed open the gate. As the girl still lingered he was obliged to hold it a moment before passing through.
“Maw couldn't quite hitch on to your not drinkin'. She reckons you're like everybody else about yer. That's where she slips up on you. And everybody else, I kalkilate.”
“I suppose she's somewhat anxious about your father, and I dare say is expecting me to hurry,” returned the master pointedly.