“Good afternoon,” she said, opening the door. “Oh! it's you, is it?”
“Yes,” admitted Abishai Pepper, standing on the stone step, and shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. “Yes, Keziah, it's—it's me, thank you.”
“Don't mention it. Well, is Laviny with you?”
“No—o, she ain't. She—she didn't come.”
“Hum! Did she know you was comin'?”
“No—o, I don't cal'late she did.”
“I see. Well, what do you want?”
Mrs. Coffin's welcome was not too cordial. She had laughed many times over Abishai's proposal of marriage, but she had never quite forgiven him for making her ridiculous on that occasion. Incidentally, she did not feel like laughing.
“What do you want?” she repeated.
Kyan was plainly nervous.