"Dan couldn't hold his happiness, an' slopped over as soon as he was inside the door.
"'Mr. Potter,' says he, with more than Christmas merriment, 'we're going to be married next month.'
"Before I could say a word he had gathered Lizzie up in his arms an' kissed her, an' she kissed back as prompt as if it had been a slap in a game o' tag.
"'You silly man,' she says, 'you could have had me long ago.'
"'If I'd only 'a' known it,' he says.
"'Oh, the ignorance o' some men!' she says, lookin' into his eyes.
"'It exceeds the penetration o' some women,' I says.
"They came together ag'in quite spiteful. I separated 'em.
"'Quit,' I says. 'Stop pickin' on each other. It provokes you an' me too. You're like a pair o' kids turned loose in a candy store. Behave yerselves an' listen to reason.'
"Lizzie turned upon me as if she thought it was none o' my business. Then she smiled an' hid her face on the manly breast o' Dan.