Will Gaines went over to where the young women were standing talking together, and said a few words to Susan, and Tom followed after him.
Patty was standing beside his mother.
“Thomas, this is Patty Penrose,” said she, turning to him; “don’t thee remember Patty?”
Tom knew that the color was rising in his face; knowing it, he felt very uncomfortable, and that made his cheeks burn all the hotter. It was a different matter talking to Patty now from what it had been three years ago. Oh, yes, he remembered Patty; “How is thee, Patty?” said he, holding out his hand to her. Her little fingers rested in his only for a moment, and then were quickly withdrawn.
“I’m pretty well, thank thee, Thomas,” said she.
Then there was a space of silence, during which Tom was thinking of something to say. This was no easy thing for him to do on the spur of the moment, considering how little he knew of Patty and her ways. He stood with his hands clasped behind him, looking at her and waiting for a thought, and she stood looking down at the toe of her shoe. Presently she raised her eyes to his face for a moment.
“Has thee just come back, Thomas?” said she.
“Yes; I came back yesterday afternoon.”
“Thee’s been gone a long while this time, hasn’t thee?”
“About three years.”