"Palavering! Well, you are ungallant, Cale; I don't dare to call you 'Uncle' now, for fear I might make a slip before the entire family, and that would complicate matters, would n't it?"
"Guess 't would," he replied earnestly; "complicate 'em in a way 't would take more 'n a lawyer's wits ter uncomplicate."
"Then let's go home and see what the Doctor is doing."
"He 's great!"
"Wait till I tell you sometime a secret about him—and me: you 'll think he is greater."
"You don't mean thet, Marcia!"
"Mean what?" I asked a little shortly, for I felt annoyed at his tone of protest and resentment.
"Mean? Wal, thet the Doctor 's sweet on you—"
"Silas C. Marstin, I am angry with you, yes, angry! Do you want to spoil all my fun,—yes, and my happiness,—by just mentioning such an impossible thing?"
"God knows I don't." He spoke, as it seemed, almost on the verge of tears.