"My dear, I reckon you've said somethin' strong," he replied, soberly, and went out.
Then Kathleen came bouncing in. Her beautiful eyes were full of mischief and excitement. "Lenorry, your new beau has all the others skinned to a frazzle," she said.
For once Lenore did not scold Kathleen, but drew her close and whispered: "Do you want to please me? Do you want me to do everything for you?"
"I sure do," replied Kathleen, with wonderful eyes.
"Then be nice, sweet, good to him.… make him love you.… Don't tease him about my other beaux. Think how you can make him like 'Many Waters.'"
"Will you promise—everything?" whispered Kathleen, solemnly. Evidently Lenore's promises were rare and reliable.
"Yes. Cross my heart. There! And you must not tell."
Kathleen was a precocious child, with all the potentialities of youth. She could not divine Lenore's motive, but she sensed a new and fascinating mode of conduct for herself. She seemed puzzled a little at Lenore's earnestness.
"It's a bargain," she said, soberly, as if she had accepted no slight gauge.
"Now, Kathleen, take him all over the gardens, the orchards, the corrals and barns," directed Lenore. "Be sure to show him the horses—my horses, especially. Take him round the reservoir—and everywhere except the wheat-fields. I want to take him there myself. Besides, father does not want you girls to go out to the harvest."