If I don't cast her temper out of her in a week, then I
ain't the man I count myself; and as for her voice, that won't trouble me
neither. I'm a peace-lover, and her voice will damned soon be stilled when
I'm home to hear it."
It didn't sound promising to my ear, and if it had been any other she but
Minnie Parable, I might have felt sorry for the woman.
"D'you mean she's took you?" I asked, still fluttering to the roots.
"She will," he answered. "I was waitin' till I happened to fall in with
her, and having done so, I said I wanted a wife, because it was time I had
one, and I told her that I saw the makings of a useful woman in her and
invited her to turn it over. She was a good bit surprised and couldn't
believe her luck for a bit. In fact, if I'd pressed her, or kissed her, or
anything like that, she'd have said 'Yes' instanter. But I bade her to
keep shut till to-morrow morning, and then be at the north lodge at
five-thirty with her answer. And she'll be there."
Rupert had never talked so much in his life afore, and I could see he was
tired. In fact he rose up after that last speech and went off without
another word. And I knew that Minnie would be up to time also, for she
weren't going to say "No" to the first and last as was ever like to offer
for her.
And I turned over the mystery and very soon felt in my bones there must be
something hidden.
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