"If I didn't have so much to do at home," said Lydia, "I could work here Saturdays and Sundays and earn a little, that way."
"Well, you wouldn't, you know," growled Billy. Lydia and Ma Norton looked up, startled at his tone.
"For the land's sake, Billy, why not?" exclaimed Ma.
"Because, Lydia's getting too big now to do these hired girl stunts. It was bad enough when she was little. But folks'll never forget 'em and always think of her as a hired girl if she keeps on."
Lydia gasped and turned scarlet. Ma Norton stared at her son as if she never had seen him before. Strong and blonde and six feet tall, he seemed suddenly to his mother no longer a boy but a mature man, and a very handsome one at that. As a matter of fact, although Billy's gaunt frame was filling out and his irregular features were maturing into lines of rugged strength, he never would be handsome. He was looking at Lydia now with the curious expression of understanding that she always brought to his gray eyes.
"I'm not ashamed to be a hired girl for your mother, Billy Norton," snapped Lydia.
"Well, I'm ashamed for you," answered the young man. "You earn your money some other way."
Lydia looked meaningly at Billy's big hands, rough and red with milking and farm work.
"You do hired man's work for your father. How'll you live that down?"
It was Billy's turn to blush. "I'm a man," he replied.