Part 11 (1/2)

”Yes, you said I was a scoundrel, and there hain't been any argument raised on that p'int. What do you say about her comin'?”

”She'll not come while I'm here; I'll tell you that.”

”That's all you need to tell me. I'm a good scuffler, but I know when I'm flung down. You didn't see the Professor's daughter when you was over there, did you?”

”Is she the woman?”

”That I'm thinkin' of marryin'? Not much! Willie bows to her and pa.s.ses on. She reminds me of a blue heron, and the wind whistles when she pa.s.ses.”

”How did you happen to mention her?”

”Oh, she flew into my head--so different from my woman. I know'd the Professor when he tried to keep boarders over near Antioch. Talked his house empty. Took up a tramp that had book sense, and kept him till the old woman drove him off. It took more than a hint to get rid of him. She throw'd his wallet and stick out into the road. He picked 'em up, and went back into the house to argy Scripture with the Professor. Then she flew at him with a fire-shovel, and he hulled out. What makes you so glum on women, Bill?”

”What makes a dog so glum on cats?”

”There must be somethin' wrong, sure enough, when you put it that way.

What's wrong?”

”Oh, they've raised h.e.l.l over at the house.”

”The women have? Well, that's their business, Bill; that's their trade.”

”I guess you're right,” Milford replied, with a laugh. He got up, took down his pipe, and went out for a half-hour's smoke on the gra.s.s, in the shade of the walnut tree. The smoke soothed him. Tobacco may be a great physical enemy, he argued, but a briar-root pipe is the most trustworthy timber for president of a peace society. Why are women so unforgiving?

Because they do not smoke. Why was James the First a pedantic a.s.s?

Because he wrote a pamphlet against tobacco. Milford lay back in a forgiving muse. Perhaps, after all, the slim woman had not been so much at fault. She had too much sympathy to be very strong, and it is manly to forgive a woman's weakness; it is, at least, manly to acknowledge to ourselves that we do. It is also manly to hold a slight grudge as a warning against a recurrence of the offense. Milford would hold a grudge, and show it by sulking. He would keep himself apart from them during the week, and on Sunday he would walk high-headed past the house.

This was a sound and respectable resolution, and he smiled upon his own resources. It took occasion to inspire a plan. And the woman who did not care whether he were engaged to a thousand women? He would--of course, he would speak to her, but with distinct reserve. However, some time must pa.s.s before he would give any of them a chance to speak to him.

A boy came up through the orchard and halted at the garden fence.

Milford asked him what was wanted. ”They are going to have some music over at Mrs. Stuvic's to-night, and they told me to come over and tell you to be sure and come.”

CHAPTER IX.

IN THE OLD WOMAN'S PARLOR.

It was clearly an insult to ask him to come. They had slandered him, and now they wanted him at their entertainment. He told the boy to tell them that he would not be there. He plowed during the afternoon, with never a look toward the house when he turned at the end of a row. He hoped that they expected him; he would smack his lips over the vicious joy of disappointing them. The invitation had, no doubt, come from Mrs.

Blakemore; Miss Strand could have had no hand in it. She did not care enough for him to wish for his company. But it made no difference who did the inviting, he would not go. He went home tired, and was sleepy at the supper table. He took down his pipe and lighted it. Mitch.e.l.l talked about the woman whose freckles were as gold to him. He had found a valuable rod and reel in the rushes; he would sell them and buy a divorce.

”If you take my advice,” said Milford, ”you'll let the women alone.”

”But a feller that's in love can't take advice.”

”Love!” Milford sneered. ”You in love?”

”That's what. Fell in love about a quarter to two, last Sunday was a week. What are you doin' with that boiled s.h.i.+rt lyin' out there? Goin'

to put it on?”

”I don't know. Is there any water in the rain barrel?”

”Ought to be if it hain't leaked out; poured in there last night. Goin'