Miss Mattie slipped off her outer skirt, and stood a second, confused and dainty. She took flight to the house, running as lithely as a greyhound.
"By Jingo!" said Red in admiration.
"Let's see you bring another woman that can run like that!"
He gathered some hay and piled it on the dress, firing the heap.
Then he turned to his antagonist. "Poor old boy! Hard luck, eh? But I had to do it," he said, and gave him decent interment at the end of the garden; washed his hands carefully and went into the house on pleasanter duties.
"I'll ask her now, by the great horn spoon!" said he, valiantly.
Miss Mattie was in a curious state of mind. There was an after effect from the fright, which made her tremble, and a remembrance of Cousin Will's actions which made her tremble more yet. When she heard him coming she started to fly, although now clothed beyond reproach, but her knees deserted her, and she was forced to sink back in her chair. Red came in whistling blithely—vainglorious man!
He had his suspicions, generated by the peculiar fervour Miss
Mattie had shown in regard to his hands.
"Mattie," quoth he, "I'm tired of living out there in the barn—I want a respectable house of my own."
"Yes, Will," replied Miss Mattie, astonished that he should choose such a subject at such a time.