"A good deal seems to be wrong, child."
"When you sit there with a long face, I can't help teasing you. I reckon you haven't learnt too much about girls yet. There's something I can tell you, and don't frown and scowl at once. Miss Neville was round these ways again this afternoon. Don't look like that, I said."
"Go on, but be kind."
"I won't tell you why she came nor what she said; but I didn't take her up short this time. I was glad to see her, for the old dog dying had made me lonely. When she was going away, she asked if I was marrying you, and I thought to do you a daddy turn at last, for sometimes you are a good fellow. I told her you was through with me, and that you wanted her again only you was too high and mighty to go back. This is straight wire, Jim."
Silence fell between them. All the while now lightning opened and shut the dark, and a grumble of thunder sounded in the sky. Molly was the first to break the spell.
"It's getting late. You had better be making home. The storm will bust soon by looks of things, and you'll be washed off the road."
"I don't like leaving you by yourself."
"You'd better get. Dad and Mum will be back soon."
"Perhaps you are right, Molly."