"Glad to hear it, ma'am. I congratulate the happy gentleman you've chosen."

"Well, of all the impudence!"

"That's what my wife says—impudence. Will the dawg bite if I inquire for Misteh Curly McCalmont?"

My blood went to ice, and I reckon Miss Blossom collapsed a whole lot to judge by the bang where she lit.

"Wall, since yo're so kind, ma'am, I'll just step in."

I heard him step in.

"This way!" the lady was gasping for breath.

"The dining-room? Wall, now, this is shorely the purtiest room, and I do just admire to see sech flowers!"

Miss Blossom came cat-foot to shut the parlour door, and I heard no more.

Curly was changing the cartridges in her revolver, as she always did every evening.