"Oh, you're all right, Mr. Andrews. It's not your clothes we're anxious to see, but you."
"I guess ye'r right," Abner thought. "I see through ye'r game. Yez want to see how I'll act, an' if I'm really luney? Well, yez'll have a chance, me hearties."
"You'll come, won't you?" Mrs. Dugan pleaded. "The women will be so disappointed if you don't."
"Sure, I'll go," and Abner laid down the saw, and followed the woman into the house.
They passed through the kitchen and into the dining-room, where the women were all gathered. They were talking in a most animated manner, but suddenly ceased and a dead silence ensued as Abner entered. Several nodded and smiled their welcome, but no one spoke.
"I've got him at last," Mrs. Dugan informed them. "He didn't want to come, but when I told him how anxious you all were to see him, he just couldn't refuse, could you, Mr. Andrews?"
"Should say not," Abner gallantly replied, "'specially when a hull bunch of women wish to look upon me handsome features, an' when they've somethin' good to eat. Tildy says I allus shine then."
"He's not luney," Mrs. Parker whispered to Mrs. Peters, who was sitting next her.
"He doesn't seem so," was the reply. "But, my! look what he's doing!"
Mrs. Dugan had offered Abner a chair, but instead of sitting down he stood upon it, and gazed around smilingly upon the astonished women.