“But I do say it's pretty hard to wait on a sick person one side the room, and keep watch for a young man the other side, both at once.”
“'Manda Grier, you're too bad!” pouted Statira. “Don't you believe a word she says, Mr. Barker.”
“Mr. Barker!” repeated 'Manda Grier.
“Well, I don't care!” said Statira, “I know who I mean.”
“I don't,” said 'Manda Grier. “And I didn't know who you meant this afternoon when you was standin' watch 't the window, and says you, 'There! there he is!' and I had to run so quick with the dipper of water I had in my hand to water the plants that I poured it all over the front of my dress.”
“Do you believe her?” asked Statira.
“And I didn't know who you meant,” proceeded 'Manda Grier, busy with the cups and saucers, “when you kept hurryin' me up to change it; 'Oh, quick, quick! How long you are! I know he'll get away; I know he will!' and I had to just sling on a shawl and rush out after this boneset.”
“There! Now that shows she's makin' it all up!” cried Statira. “She put on a sack, and I helped her on with it myself. So there!”
“Well, if it was a sack! And after all, the young man was gone when I got down int' the street,” concluded 'Manda Grier solemnly.
Lemuel had thought she was talking about him; but now a pang of jealousy went through him, and showed at the eyes he fixed on her.