"Wouldn't you," he said, "even like to sit in his lap? Wouldn't you love to sit in his lap and be hugged?"
Lee looked to Renier for help, as he to her. And they took a step apiece directly toward each other, and another step. It was as if they had been hypnotized. Suddenly Renier caught Lee's hand in his, and after a moment of looking into his eyes she turned to the stout man, and sang in miraculous imitation of him:
"Young Miss Mule is a gol-darn fool,
But you made her see the water in the gol-darn pool."
"I'll just get a license blank," said the stout young man. "They're in the back room."
"Thank you," said Renier—"if you will, Mr.——"
"Heartbeat!" flashed the stout young man, and left them. And he wasn't lying or making fun that time. For that was his really truly name. And in northern New York people are beginning to think that he is by way of being up to it.
Suddenly Lee quoted from a joke that she and Renier had in common. She said, as if surprised:
"'Why, there's a table over there!'"
And Renier, his voice suddenly breaking and melting, answered:
"'Why, so there is—and here's a chair!'"