Fer a minute, I just laid back, faint shore enough, thinkin’ what a all-fired sucker I was. And whilst I was stretched out that-a-way, Mace come clost and give me her hand. The parson, he took out a little black book.
“Dearly beloved,” he begun, “we are gathered t’gether––”
It was then I sit up. “Parson, stop!” I says. And to Mace, “Little gal, I ain’t a-goin’ t’ let ’em take no advantage of you. I wasn’t hit in the side. It’s my arm, and it’s only just creased a little.”
Mace kinda blinked, not knowin’ whether t’ be glad ’r not, I reckon.
“And this hull bsuiness,” I goes on, “is a trick.”
Her haid went up, and her cheeks got plumb white. Then, she begun t’ back–slow. “A trick!” she repeats; “–it’s a trick! Aw, how mean! how mean! I didn’t think you was like that!”
“Me, Mace? It wasn’t––”
“A trick!” she goes on. “But I’m glad I found it out–yas. This afternoon when I was talkin’ to y’, I wanted t’ stay right here in Briggs–I wanted t’ stay with you. If you’d just said you wisht I would; if you’d just turned over you’ hand, why, I’d ’a’ give up the trip. My heart was achin’ t’ think I was goin’. But now, now–” And she choked up.
“Macie!” I says. “Aw, don’t!” Somehow I was beginnin’ t’ feel kinda dizzy and sick.
She faced the parson. “And you was in it, too!–you!” she says.