"Every Dick, Tom, and Harry on the country side is to know about it seemingly," he said with a comical expression. "I hope they'll take the hint anyhow, and the less we see of 'em the better henceforward."
Then it was that she astonished him again, and the humorous note was changed abruptly in his mind, though not in hers.
"You men—so greedy you be—like a dog with a bone. 'Tis all or none with you."
He stared. It sounded an unmaidenly speech to his ear.
"By God! I should think so! All or none indeed. We don't share sweethearts, I believe."
She enjoyed his tragical face.
"'Twould be a poor look out for them as tried to come between me an' my gert monster," she said.
"It would be."
"An' for me too, I reckon?"
"Yes," he admitted. "But don't be telling such nonsense—or thinking such folly. You've done with all men but me for evermore. The Lord help any man or woman who ever came between us in deed or thought, if I catched word of it."