“Well, I do exactly that thing. I’ve got a gal nigh here I thought was some on purtty, but she ain’t a pint cup to these here.”
“Which do you think is the best looking?”
“That’s ‘bout as hard to tell as buyin’ knives. That ere curly head un is five mules and a bunch er bells, and ef ‘twant for t’other would beat the world; but that black-eyed un, wh’sh! She c’n jus’ look at you, and make you set still forever. Why, you c’n run er fishin’ pole in her eyes up to the hand’l and never tech bott’m.”
“Polyphemus would be a mole to her, if her eyes were as deep as that,” I replied, laughing at his extravagance.
“I never heerd of Polly Whatchoucallem, but ef she looked like this ere wun, I’d trade Viney Dodge for her, and giv ’em boot.”
“I expect Miss Viney will soon have cause for jealousy?”
“Nor, siree. Miss Kerlotter, I think the old lady sed her name was, is a darned sight too fine for me. You can’t sew silk truck on to homespun; and Viney suits my cloth the bes’, for she’s three treddle sarge, and a thread to spare.”
There was a fork here in the path, and we separated. I reached home just as the family were sitting down to breakfast. I exhibited my game, and was complimented for my skill.
After breakfast I went to the library, while the girls busied themselves aiding mother in her domestic arrangements. Before leaving the table they made me promise to take them fishing in the evening, or rather Lulie did, for Carlotta expressed her preference for remaining at home with mother, and I saw in her face that her intuitive tact had taught her that I preferred to be alone with Lulie. She was tenderly devoted to mother, and would often leave gay, frolicsome Lulie to sit by her, and talk on “grown up” subjects, as Lulie would call them. With father she was reserved, though respectful and grateful, and studied to please him in every way. Toward me she was gentle and kind, but shy, as if she was afraid of being teased about me.
I cannot describe my feelings for her. There was a thrill every time I met those great black eyes that I had never felt before, but I could not call it love, for Lulie engrossed all there was of that in my nature.