“Hit’s time,” was her grim comment.
He kissed her gaily. “That’s what I thought, Mother.”
“Did Mellie tell you-all that she’s a-goin’ to git married to-morrow?”
“Yes, we be’n talkin’ about it.”
“She’s a-gittin’ a good man,” defiantly.
Jed laughed. “He ain’t good enough fer her.”
“Don’t yo’ put sech notions in her head,” his mother told him sharply.
“No, Maw,” answered Jed with unwonted humility. “Co’se I want her to think she gits a good man when she gits me.”
Mrs. Chunn’s beady eyes fastened on him. Instantly she recognized a defeat that was sweeter than victory, but she was not yet prepared to admit it. “Oh, she gits you-all, does she? Well, I ’low she don’t git much ’f yo’ don’t make a better husban’ than yo’ do a son.”
She turned on her heel and went into the house without more words. Another woman stood first with her boy now. Her jealousy was bitter. But it was for the moment only, and beneath it was to grow a deep satisfaction that Jed had at last come to anchorage near her.