"To hell with Minnie Parable!" I cried out. "I don't want to hear nothing about that misbegot vixen."
For once Rupert was astonished, but he weren't so astonished as me a minute later.
"I'm sorry you take that view," he replied; "because she'll be your daughter-in-law in six weeks. I be going to marry her."
I never can stand more'n one shock a day, and now I felt myself getting out of hand terrible fast. But I drawed in a deep breath of air and fell on my chair.
"There's a good deal more in that woman than meets the eye," went on Rupert. "Her face would frighten a hedge-pig, no doubt, and her shape be mournful; but I ain't one to marry for decorations. She's a woman, and she can cook and she knows the value of money, and also knows my opinions on that subject. I didn't find her a bad sort by no means. She's got sense and she ain't a gadder, and would rather work than play, same as me."
"But her temper, Rupert, her famous temper," I murmured to the man, "and her woeful, craakin voice."
"Nobody won't hear no more about her famous temper," he said, "not after she's married me. If I don't cast her temper out of her in a week, then I ain't the man I count myself; and as for her voice, that won't trouble me neither. I'm a peace-lover, and her voice will damned soon be stilled when I'm home to hear it."
It didn't sound promising to my ear, and if it had been any other she but Minnie Parable, I might have felt sorry for the woman.
"D'you mean she's took you?" I asked, still fluttering to the roots.
"She will," he answered. "I was waitin' till I happened to fall in with her, and having done so, I said I wanted a wife, because it was time I had one, and I told her that I saw the makings of a useful woman in her and invited her to turn it over. She was a good bit surprised and couldn't believe her luck for a bit. In fact, if I'd pressed her, or kissed her, or anything like that, she'd have said 'Yes' instanter. But I bade her to keep shut till to-morrow morning, and then be at the north lodge at five-thirty with her answer. And she'll be there."