“‘And the calf?’ said I.
“‘Get along,’ said she, ‘do get out;’ and she took up some crumbs of the cake, and made ’em into a ball as big as a cherry, and fired it at me, and struck me in the eye with it, and nearly put it out. She jumped up in a minit: ‘Did she hurt her own poor cossy’s eye?’ she said, ‘and put it een amost out,’ and she kissed it. ‘It didn’t hurt his little peeper much, did it?’
“Hullo, sais I to myself, she’s coming it too peeowerful strong altogether. The sooner I dig out the better for my wholesomes. However, let her went, she is wrathy. ‘I came to propose to you—’
“‘Dear me,’ said she, ‘I feel dreadful, I warn’t prepared for this; it’s very onexpected. What is it, Sam? I am all over of a twiteration.’
“‘I know you will refuse me,’ sais I, ‘when I look round and see how comfortable and how happy you are, even if you ain’t engaged.’
“‘Sam, I told you I weren’t engaged,’ she said: ‘that story of General Smith is all a fabrication, therefore don’t mention that again.’
“‘I feel,’ said I, ‘it’s no use. I know what you will say, you can’t quit.’
“‘You have a strange way,’ said she, rather tart, ‘for you ask questions, and then answer them yourself. What do you mean?’
“‘Well,’ sais I, ‘I’ll tell you, Liddy.’
“‘Do, dear,’ said she, and she put her hand over her eyes, as if to stop her from hearing distinctly. ‘I came to propose to you—’