"Perfect pet—get out. Did you know John Bragg was over to see me?"
"John Bragg?"
"Yes, John Bragg."
"I thought you had given him up?"
"Oh, no. I did think when you and I came home from church on the black colt, it would give him a shock, but he is all the more attentive. Think of it, all the fathers and mothers have had their daughters cooing around him for the last three years and he does not bite, but is in great agony over me. Now, what can I do? I will have to marry him to get rid of him, won't I?"
"To get rid of him?"
"Oh, Jim, but his father is rich. You see, it is dignified to have such a beau. He came over last night after I left you and said his father had bought of Mr. Converse a beautiful saddle horse and he wanted me to take a ride on it, but when I told him I was engaged he looked downcast. He proposed to bring over his sister Lydia and, if it pleased you, we would all go up to the west bend fishing together and have a fish fry. What do you thing of that?"
"I would be delighted to go."
"Yes, but he will expect to escort me and leave you to attend to Lydia."
"That is all right; I like Lydia."