"
"I guess Mr. Barker's good enough for me a while yet," said Statira,
and she hastened to add, "The name, I mean," and at this they all
laughed till Statira said, "I shall _certainly_ die!" She
suddenly recovered herself--those girls seemed to do everything like
lightning, Lemuel observed--and said, "No, I ain't goin' to have
mine told at all. I don't like it. Seems kind of wicked. I ruther
talk. I never _could_ make it just right to act so with the
Bible."
Lemuel was pleased at that. Statira seemed prettier than ever in
this mood of reverence.
"Well, don't talk too much when I'm gone," said 'Manda Grier, and
before anybody could stop her, she ran out of the room. But she put
her head in again to say, "I'll be back as soon's I can take this
key home."
Lemuel did not know what to do. The thought of being alone with
Statira again was full of rapture and terror. He was glad when she
seized the door and tried to keep 'Manda Grier.
"I--I--guess I better be going," he said.
"You sha'n't go till I get back, anyway," said 'Manda Grier
hospitably. "You keep him, S'tira!"
She gave Statira a little push, and ran down the stairs.
Statira tottered against Lemuel, with that round, soft shoulder
which had touched him before. He put out his arms to save her from
falling, and they seemed to close round her of themselves.
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