The county superintendent of public instruction was held in such awe that his name was scarcely mentioned in an ordinary tone of voice.
"As if there's no difference from a teacher at William Penn to the county superintendent! You ain't that dumm, Tillie!"
"The difference is that the teacher at William Penn is superior in every way to the county superintendent!"
She spoke impulsively, and she regretted her words the moment they were uttered. But Absalom only half comprehended her meaning.
"You think you ain't good enough fur him, and you think I ain't good enough fur YOU!" he grumbled. "I have never saw such a funny girl! Well," he nodded confidently, "you'll think different one of these here days!"
"You must not cherish any false hopes, Absalom," Tillie insisted in some distress.
"Well, fur why don't you want to have me?" he demanded for the hundredth time.
"Absalom,"—Tillie tried a new mode of discouragement,—"I don't want to get married because I don't want to be a farmer's wife—they have to work too hard!"
It was enough to drive away any lover in the countryside, and for a moment Absalom was staggered.
"Well!" he exclaimed, "a woman that's afraid of work ain't no wife fur me, anyways!"