"To hear the gospel, I suppose."
"Not much, Brother Mayberry; not much. I went thar to see you."
"To see me! Why on earth, madam, do you care to see me?"
"Would ruther see you on earth, Brother Mayberry, than anywhar else. I went to see you, Brother Mayberry, because I love you."
"Merciful heavens!" exclaimed the evangelist, throwing up his hands in a gesture of horror.
"Yes, Brother Mayberry, I love you, and I want you to be my husband."
"Oh, God forbid!" the disgusted preacher groaned.
"Yes, Brother Mayberry, but the Lawd hain't forbid. Let me tell you one thing: when old Tildy sets her head, w'y suthin' is goin' ter happen. Does folks cross old Tildy? Yes, sometimes. Did old Patterson cross Tildy? Yes, Patterson crossed po', old, harmless Tildy. Whut did Tildy do? She grabbed Patterson's boy an' hil him under the water till he was drounded. Did Martin cross old Tildy? Yes, Martin crossed old Tildy. What did old Tildy do? She met old Martin in the woods an' killed him, an' folks thought he killed hisse'f. Now, air you, in the bloom o' yo' youth and beauty, goin' to cross po', old, harmless Tildy?"
The cold dew of horror gathered in beads on the preacher's brow. "Madam," said he, "I cannot marry you. Your request is preposterous; your presence is appalling. Go away."
"Not until I lead my husband with me, Brother Mayberry."