“Courting-stick? What might that be?�
“I’ll show you,� she answered, starting up. “’Tis in the best room.�
“Nay, let me get it for you,� he said, rising.
“How can you, if you know it not when you see it?� she retorted. “But you may come, too.� She felt a wicked delight in hearing the captain’s muttered exclamations as he followed her into the dim best room, stumbling over table and chairs on the way.
“Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Robbins?� she exclaimed, in a tone of commiseration. “Trouble yourself no more; I have the rod. Here, John,� she added, when they had returned, “take the other end while I show Mr. Robbins how our grandfathers courted.�
John took the rod and Dolly put her lips to her own end. “John,� she whispered, “betray no surprise for your life! Mr. Robbins knows about the meeting-house loft, and is to lead a band of men to take you Monday night. Pretend you cannot hear this well.�
John looked up in apparent perplexity. “The old rod is out of use,� he said. “Speak louder, Dolly.�
The captain, with a suspicious look, pressed nearer.
“John,� she called, “are you sorry courting-sticks are out of fashion?�
“A chilly custom, truly,� said the captain. “Don’t you think, Miss Dolly, it was rather hard on the happy pair?�