Before going to the house, they called on Daddy Tuggar. He was so amazed that he could only ejaculate, "Evenin'."
"Mr. Tuggar, I have acted on your suggestion," said Gregory. "I thought Miss Walton would be good company forever, and I have the promise of it."
"To think that I should have cussed you!" said the old man, in an awed tone.
"But you will give us your blessing, now?" said Annie, smiling.
"My blessin' ain't worth nothin'; but I know the good Lord will bless you both, even if Miss Annie never was an awful sinner."
"Mr. Tuggar," said Gregory, "I own that place over there. Will you take me for a neighbor till you are ready to be Mr. Walton's?"
"O, Walter!" said Annie, with a glad cry, "is that really true?"
"Yes, it became mine yesterday; or, rather, it remained yours."
"Mr. Gregory," said Daddy Tuggar, his quaint face twitching strangely, "if anybody steals your apples, I'm afraid I'll swear at 'em, even yet."
"No, you won't, Daddy," said he. "But I'm going to bring you over to spend an evening with us soon. Good-by!"