"This won't do one bit, ma. Me and the little lady's got to get you cured up in a hurry—don't we, little lady?"
"Ma dearie, Joe's been wantin' and wantin' to come for so long."
"For so long I been wantin' to come, ma dearie; but—"
"But he's so bashful. Ain't you, Joe? Bashful as a banshee."
"Bashful ain't no name for me, ma. I'd shy at a baby."
"Honest, ma dearie, he's as shy as anything."
"If I wasn't, wouldn't I have been up to see my little lady's mother long ago—wouldn't I? Ain't you going to shake hands with me, ma dearie?"
She held up a hand as light as a leaf, and he took it in a wide, gentle clasp that enveloped it.
