David ran to meet and expostulate with his harder half. It was seldom that he even tried to quell that outspoken tongue; but now he both tried and succeeded, though Missy in the verandah could not hear by how much artifice or in what words. In another minute, however, Mr. Teesdale was again at her side, while his wife and daughter went past them and into the house without further parley.
These few words were then exchanged in the verandah:
“Missy, she didn't mean it. You'll hear no more about it—not a word from anybody.”
“I deserve to, nevertheless.”
“So you'll come in, won't you, and have your supper like a dear good girl?”
“Ah, yes, I'll come in now.”
“I was so afraid—Mrs. T. is that hasty and plain-spoken—that what she said might make you say you'd never come into our house any more.”
“Not it,” said Missy with a laugh. “That's the sort of thing to have the very opposite effect upon you. Come on in!”