“Take the big chair,” she repeated.
“Ye’d rather give me that than your hand, eh?” returned Hiram, and he seated himself on the edge of the flexible wicker.
“Sit back, and take comfort,” said Betsy, returning to her rocker.
Captain Salter obeyed, moving cautiously.
“Well, travelin’ does improve folks, they say. I can see you’re improved, Betsy.”
“You thought there was need of it, did you?”
“Well, I should think so! I knew the minute I got your note this afternoon that you was beginnin’ to get more reasonable. To have you do somethin’ real decent like askin’ a feller to come and see you, showed that you was broadenin’ out, Betsy, broadenin’ out. Folks all gone to the inn to dinner, eh?”
“Yes. I thought it would be a good chance for me to hear some o’ the town gossip.”
“’Tis. Real good. It’s all over Fairport that you and me’s goin’ to be married this fall.” Betsy stopped rocking. “The name o’ the boat kind o’ started it up—”