Lemuel said well,
he did not know that he should ever have anything more to do with
him; but he liked to hear him preach, and he guessed he tried to do
what was about right. Statira made him promise that if ever he met
Mr. Sewell again, he would not make up to him, any way; and she
would not tolerate the thought of Miss Vane.
"What you two quar'lin' about?" demanded 'Manda Grier, coming
suddenly into the room; and that turned their retrospective griefs
into joy again.
"I'm scoldin' him because he don't think enough of himself," cried
Statira.
"Well, he seems to take it pretty meekly," said 'Manda Grier. "I
guess you didn't scold very hard. Now, young man," she added to
Lemuel, "I guess you better be goin'. It's five o'clock, and if you
should be out after dark, and the bears should get you, I don't know
what S'tira would do."
"'Tain't five yet!" pleaded Statira. "That old watch of yours is
always tryin' to beat the town clock."
"Well, it's the clock that's ahead this time," said 'Manda Grier.
"My watch says quarter of. Come, now, S'tira, you let him go, or he
sha'n't come back any more."
They had a parting that Lemuel's mother would have called sickish
without question; but it all seemed heavenly sweet and right.
Statira said now he had got to kiss 'Manda Grier too; and when he
insisted, her chin knocked against his, and saved her lips, and she
gave him a good box on the ear.
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