She paused. Her companion looked delightedly expectant.
“Yes,” she cried eagerly. “Then Cap'n Elkanah came and the very first thing he said was—I almost laughed in his face.”
“Almost! Humph! that's no exaggeration. The way you put out of that door was a caution.”
“Yes, but what did the cap'n mean? Is it a secret? Ahem! shall I congratulate you, auntie?”
“Grace Van Horne! there's born fools enough in this town without your tryin' to be one. You know 'twa'n't THAT. Though what 'twas was surprise enough, I will say,” she added. “Grace, I ain't goin' away to-morrow.”
“You're not? Oh, splendid! Has the cap'n decided to let you stay here?”
“I guess his decidin' wouldn't influence me, if twas stayin' in his house he meant. The only way I could live here would be on his charity, and that would be as poor fodder as sawdust hasty puddin', even if I was fond of charity, which I ain't. He said to me—Well, you take your things off and I'll tell you about it. You can stay a little while, can't you?”
“Yes, I was going to stay all the afternoon and for supper, if you'd let me. I knew you had so much to do and I wanted to help. I told uncle and he said certainly I ought to come. He said he should try to see you and say good-by before you left tomorrow.”
“You don't say! And me a Regular! Well, I'm much obliged, though I guess your Uncle Eben won't see me to-morrow—nor speak to me again, when he knows what I AM going to do. Grace, I ain't goin' to leave Trumet, not for the present, anyhow. I've got a way of earnin' my livin' right here. I'm goin' to keep house for the new minister.”
The girl turned, her hat in her hand.