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Ellery," gushed Lavinia, removing the bonnet. "You see, I was invited out to ride this afternoon and and I went." She glanced at her brother, reddened yes, almost blushed and continued. "You know, 'Bishy," she said "Thankful Payne's cousin's home avisitin' her. He come about that cousin's will the other cousin that's just died.
"'Bishy," said Miss Pepper, "what do you s'pose has happened down to the Hammond tavern?" "Oh, I know that," was the reply. "I heard that long ago; Cap'n Eben's dead." "'Course he's dead; and I knew you knew it. Land sakes! don't be such a ninny. Why, I told you myself." "Well, I didn't know but you'd forgot. Anybody's li'ble to forget who they've told things to. Why, I've forgot more things "
She did not seem angry; indeed, she acted embarrassed and confused, as if she, and not her brother, were the guilty party. "I'm afraid I'm awful late, 'Bishy," she said. "Have you had your supper?" Kyan was too perturbed to venture a reply. The sword above his head was quivering on its single hair and he was preparing to dodge the fall. But it did not fall.
"She's been ahuntin' for me. NOW I'll get it! You stand by me, Mr. Ellery. You got to. You said you would. But how on earth did she get " The minister motioned him to silence. "I'll stand by you," he whispered. "Don't speak. Leave it to me." A step sounded on the back step. The dining-room door was hurriedly thrown open. "'Bishy," called Miss Pepper eagerly. "'Bish, where are you?"
Kyan approached, the picture of desolation. "What do you want?" he asked gruffly. "Heavens to Betsy! Don't look so sour. A body'd think you was goin' to be hung, to look at you. 'Bishy, you tell Mr. Ellery all about it, there's a dear. He'll tell you, Mr. Ellery; and remember we count on you. Neither me nor Caleb wont have nobody else." She seized Mr. Pratt by the arm and led him hastily away.
There was much hand shaking and congratulation and the church emptied slowly. Among the last to leave were the Peppers and Mr. Pratt. Lavinia took the minister aside. "Mr. Ellery," she simpered, "I've that is, Caleb and me will prob'ly want you to That is, we want you to be the one " "Yes, Miss Pepper?" "Oh, my sakes! you see 'Bishy dear, come here a minute, won't you?"
Comin' to live at our HOUSE, mind you, with her and with ME! ''Twill be so nice for you, 'Bishy dear, she says, 'to have a man in the house to keep you comp'ny and look out for you when I ain't round. Godfreys mighty!" This portion of Kyan's disclosure was surprising, if the announcement of his sister's engagement was not. "Mr. Pratt is coming to Trumet?" the minister repeated. "What for?
The minister looked at her, then at her brother, and he, too, burst into a shout of laughter. Kyan did not laugh; yet his grip upon the chair relaxed, and over his countenance was spreading a look of relief, of hope and peace, like a clear sunrise after a stormy night. "Well, I must go and get supper," declared Lavinia. "You'll forgive me for leavin' you so, won't you, 'Bishy?" Mr. Pepper sighed.
And a ride bein' a good deal of a treat to me, I said I would. Thankful was goin', too, but er er she couldn't very well. So Caleb that's his name, you remember, 'Bishy he come round with his horse and team about ha'f past three and we started. But I'd no IDEE 'twas so late. I I meant to tell you I was goin', 'Bish, but I forgot."
"Why, I'd be glad to, of course," he declared with dubious enthusiasm. "But I don't know's I'll have time. Perhaps I'd better come later and do it. Laviny, she " "Oh, Laviny can spare you for a few minutes, I guess; 'specially as she don't know you're out. Better take your coat off, hadn't you? Grace, fetch one of those chairs for Ky for 'Bishy to stand in." Grace obediently brought the chair.
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