“If the pies had burned I’d have made others, depend on that,” said Mrs. Ranger. “I guess Temp’rins Tribbey never had to do anything over after me! I s’pose he’s gone in to see Mr. Didymus now?”
“We may as well go,” said Mabella. “He won’t be back for awhile likely.”
So the two went back to the kitchen, where Lanty, after watering the roan, stood eating biscuits from the heap upon the bake board.
“Vashti,” said Sidney, taking her in his arms, “say yes. You know I adore you—and—Vashti, you will——”
She looked into his eyes. For one moment a womanly hesitation prevailed in her heart. The next she questioned herself angrily: “Why wait, why delay, why not begin to lay the threads of your revenge?”
“But”—she paused and looked down. He drew her closer.
“Darling, it is the knowledge that you are really mine that I want. You surely do not think I would be exacting to you? You shall come to me when you will; say yes, dear——”
“It is so hurried—so—you are good,” she said, with charming affectation of hesitancy.
“Send Lanty over for your father,” said Sidney, “and Temperance and I will go in and ask Mr. Didymus.”
“I—yes, Sidney, I will do as you wish,” she said, then for one instant, abashed by the great glad light in his eyes, she let fall her face upon his breast.