Laughing, yet half in doubt, she watched him. The way he made the earth fly was surprising. "Oh, come," she said after a few moments, "you have shown your goodwill. A steam-engine could not keep it up at that rate."
"Perhaps not; but I can. Before you engage me, I wish you to know that
I am equal to old Adam, and can dig."
"Engage you!" she thought with a little flutter of dismay. "I could manage him with the help of town conventionalities; but how will it be here? I suppose I can keep father and Hiram within earshot, and if he is so bent on—well, call it a lark, since he has referred to that previous bird, perhaps I might as well have a lark too, seeing it's my birthday." Then she spoke. "Mr. Minturn!"
"I'm busy."
"But really—"
"And truly tell me, am I catching up with Hiram?"
"You'll get down so deep that you'll drop through if you're not careful."
"There's nothing like having a man who is steady working for you. Now, most fellows would stop and giggle at such little amusing remarks."
"You are soiling your trousers."
"Yes, you're right. They ARE mine. There; isn't that a regulation hole?
'Two feet across and eighteen deep.'"