“You don’t—by thunder! She ain’t told you nothin’?”
“Certainly not.”
Elias looked puzzled.
“Why,” he said, “most folks thought that 176 was the condition that brought you to Sefton Falls. Surely nothin’ but some sort of a reward, an’ a big one, too, would coax a body to come an’ live with such a——”
“You forget you are speaking of my aunt, Mr. Barnes.”
“I guess I did forget it a mite, Miss Lucy,” mumbled Elias awkwardly. “I beg your pardon.”
The girl inclined her head.
“Suppose we leave personal matters now and settle our business,” she answered, motioning toward the boxes, baskets, and egg cases Tony had set inside the shop door. “Here is the corn and the butter my aunt promised you, and here are twelve dozen eggs. If you will pay me for them, I will start back home before it grows any warmer.”
“Lemme see,” ruminated Elias, “eggs is bringing——”
“Seventy cents.”