“What does that matter?”
“Nothing, much.... But you was going to tell me something.”
She lifted her tear-stained face, and slowly shook her head. “Not now. I might cry again, and I’ve been silly enough for one day.”
“You ain’t been silly, not one mite. I had no right to make you cry by telling you things that don’t consarn you.”
“Indeed, you should have told me, and it does concern, far more than you think,” she 307 replied, drying her eyes and cheeks. “I know I must look frightful.”
“You don’t look nothing of the sort. You couldn’t if you tried to.”
“Will you be home to-night, Uncle Josiah?” she asked, looking at her wrist-watch. It was half-past ten o’clock.
“Cal’late to be.”
“May I come to see you?”
“That’s a funny question. I should say you can come. Clemmie will be real glad to see you, and so will the minister.”