"Oh, you know enough about housekeepin' to satisfy me," said the Professor.
Huldy by this time divined what was on the Professor's mind; in fact, she had known it for some time, but had assured herself that he would never have the courage to put his hints, and suggestions, and allusions, into an actual declaration. So she replied with some asperity, "What made you think I was looking for a situation as housekeeper?"
"Oh, nothin'," said he, "I wasn't thinkin' anythin' about what I thought you thought, but I was a-thinkin' about somethin' that I thought myself."
Huldy looked up inquiringly.
"What would you say," asked the Professor, "if I told you that I thought of gettin' married?"
"Well," replied Huldy, "I think my first question would be, 'have you asked her?'"
"No, I haven't yet," said the Professor.
"Well, then, my advice to you," continued Huldy, "is don't delay; if you do perhaps some other fellow may ask her first, and she may consent, not knowing that you think so much of her."
"Well, I've thought of that," said the Professor. "I guess you're right. What would you say," continued he, "if I told you that I had asked her?"
"Well, I should say," answered Huldy, "that you told me only a minute or two ago that you hadn't."