"'Now, will you let my Willie alone?' says she.
"Hadds jumped up and down and rubbed his head.
"'What ails you?' says he, near cryin'.
"'Hadds!' I remonstrated to him, 'remember you're speakin' to a lady.'
"'Lady!' yells Hadds. 'Lady! Look at the lump on my head!'
"It was at this unfortunate minute a young feller see fit to come into the store to buy some matches. He stopped a minute, as he took a general view. There was the Major, apparently bleedin' profusely, yet not carin' a great deal, seemin' more concerned in rockin' bac'ard and forrard and sneezin'. His manner seemed to say, 'So long as you don't interfere with the innocent pleasures of a sneeze I don't care what breaks.' There was Hadds rubbin' his head: there was me with my mouth open; and there was the Majoress, leanin' over the counter and smilin' a dark, mysterious smile.
"The customer didn't know what to do.
"'Well?' says the Majoress, sharp and businesslike.
"The young feller jumped.
"'I beg your pardon,' says he. 'I'd like a box of matches.'