Nat (looking about). Well I know that. We boys used to come up here to tease the girls because the cake that went with the tea parties appealed to us. It was here I fell in love with Arey. It was here I first asked her to marry me.
Abner. I’m sorry, Nat, that Arey doesn’t care for you.
Nat. It’s plain to see now why she doesn’t care.
Abner. Nonsense!
Nat. No nonsense about it. Look at the way she took the part of that darned little sand peep. Well, I’ll make her see what he is before I get through.
Abner. You are crazy jealous, Nat. Don’t make a fool of yourself. Ariel is good-hearted and impulsive, and quick to take the part of any one who is in trouble.
Nat. She wouldn’t help me if I was dying.
Abner (impatiently). Well, perhaps she wouldn’t! Might as well say one thing as another. It’s a waste of time and energy to argue with a man who is madly in love and insanely jealous.
Nat. Are you going to let her take up with this little crook and throw me over?
Abner. Crook is a strong word, Nat. The boy may have been expelled from college, and may be in wrong with his father, but he didn’t break into the post-office last night. I think it is more than likely that he called there in his efforts to find a boarding place. I was scared off by some one’s knocking on the door.