“Apple peelings never lie,” said Sally in mock seriousness.
“You certainly will break somethin’,” interjected Aunt ‘Liza, raising her dough-covered finger to emphasize her remark, “if you don’t quit flirtin’ with the fellers. They won’t keep comin’ always, as I’m a shinin’ example to prove.”
A scream of fun greeted this sermon.
“Oh, Aunt ‘Liza’s had experience, I know—a real romance, I just know it,” said Alta, “but she never gave a hint of it before.”
“Tell us all about it,” teased Mary.
“Romance! shucks! d’ye think I’d hev fellers pesterin’ about me?”
“Oh, don’t be so practical, Auntie; tell us something really romantic,” said Alta.
“Yes, what did he say when he proposed?” added Sally; “why wouldn’t you have him?”
Aunt ‘Liza’s face flushed as she turned without a word to make the old rolling pin chuckle again across the pie dough. Sally had struck a tender chord rather roughly. All felt it. Mrs. Willis, with motherly instinct, turned their thoughts quickly, by saying—
“Come, girls, stop teasing Aunt ‘Liza, and turn on me.”