At the table the dinner was much admired.
"Huldah," said Janet Dunton, "I like your pies. I wish I could hire you to go to Boston. Our cook never does so well."
John saw the well-aimed shaft hidden under this compliment, and all his manhood rallied. As soon as he could be sure of himself he said:
"You can not have Huldah; she is already engaged."
"How's that?" said Aunt Judith.
"Oh! I've secured her services," said John.
"What?" said Mrs. Holmes, "engaged your—your—your help before you engaged a wife!"
"Not at all," said John; "engaged my help and my wife in one. I hope that Huldah Manners will be Huldah Harlow by Christmas."
The deacon dropped his knife and fork, and dropped his lower jaw, and stared. "What! How! What did you say, John?"
"I say, father, that this good girl Huldah is to be my wife."