POLLY
He meant—to decorate the graves.
LINK
O' course;
but I must take my little laugh. I told him
I guessed I wa'n't persent'ble anyhow,
my mustache and my boots wa'n't blacked this mornin'.
I don't jest like t' talk about my legs.—
Be you a-goin' to take your young school folks,
Polly?
POLLY
Dear no! I told my boys and girls
to march up this way with the band. I said
I'd be a-stayin' home and learnin' how
to keep school in the woodpile here with you.
LINK
(looking up at her proudly)
Schoolma'am at seventeen! Some smart, I tell ye!
POLLY (caressing him)
Schoolmaster, you, past seventy; that's smarter!
I tell 'em I learn from you, so's I can teach
my young folks what the study-books leave out.
LINK
Sure ye don't want to jine the celebratin'?
POLLY
No, sir! We're goin' to celebrate right here,
and you're to teach me to keep school some more.
(She holds ready for him the blue coat and hat.)