"Lucky ye did," Eben replied, as he broke the shell. "Say, it's great havin' you here. What's yer name!"
"Only Jess. I hope you will like it."
"I like it already. I think it's nice. An' say, I won't let anyone git ye."
"That's kind of you. But I thought you hated girls."
"Who told ye that?"
"Your father, of course. Isn't it true?"
"Mebbe it is, an' mebbe it isn't. An' mebbe after all it is. I never did take much stock in girls."
"Why?"
"Dunno, 'cept it's me make-up. Girls are too fussy fer me, so I like to keep out of their way."
"But you came my way this morning, though," the girl smilingly reminded.