“Yes—truly!” Abner replied, gravely nodding his head.

Esther took the hand from her shoulder, and shook it in both of hers. “Good-night again, then,” she said, and turned to go.

Suddenly there resounded the loud rapping of a stick on the barn-door, close by my head.

Abner squared his huge shoulders and threw a downright glance at the gun on the floor.

“Well?” he called out.

Is my da'ater inside there?

We all knew that thin, high-pitched, querulous voice. It was old “Jee” Hagadorn who was outside.