Joanna's approach to a subject was ever direct, but this time she seemed to have taken the breath out of Arthur's body.
"Ellen ... sweet on me?" he gasped.
"Yes, you blind-eyed owl. I've seen it for a dunnamany weeks."
"But—Ellen? That liddle girl ud never care an onion for a dull, dry chap lik me."
"Reckon she would. You ain't such a bad chap, Arthur, though I could never bring myself to take you."
"Well, I must say I haven't noticed anything, or maybe I'd have spoken to you about it. I'm unaccountable sorry, Jo, and I'll do all I can to help you stop it."
"I'm not sure I want to stop it. I was thinking only to-day as it wouldn't be a bad plan if you married Ellen."
"But, Jo, I don't want to marry anybody but you."
"Reckon that's middling stupid of you, for I'll never marry you, Arthur Alce—never!"
"Then I don't want nobody."