"Of course! Don't you remember?"
"Oh, this unlucky birthday! As if trees could take Sue's place!"
"Yah!" chuckled Hiram from the barn door, "I knowed dat ar gem'lin was a-diggin' a hole fer hisself on dis farm."
"Mr. Minturn—" Sue began as they came toward the house arm in arm.
"Hal—" he interrupted.
"Well, then, Mr. Hal, you must promise me one thing in dead earnest. I'm the only chick father and mother have. You must be very considerate of them, and let me give them as much of my time as I can. This is all that I stipulate; but this I do."
"Sue," he said in mock solemnity, "the prospects are that you'll be a widow."
"Why do you make such an absurd remark?"
"Because you have struck amidships the commandment with the promise, and your days will be long in the land. You'll outlive everybody."
"This will be no joke for father and mother."