University of Virginia Library

12. XII.
CONCLUSION.

There she stood, in an attitude that might have done
credit to Rachel, her eyes, her face, her whole form, so to
speak, scintillant and quivering with intensified scorn.

Peleg stretched himself up, plunged his hands deep into
his pockets, screwed up first one side of his face and then
the other, and repeated his astonished whistle.

“Whew! Told ye so!” squinting at me. “Awful
scrape! perfectly awful!”

“Mr. Green,” said I, “the lady desires to be rid of your
society. I am waiting to see her very reasonable wishes
complied with.”

“Don't be rolling up yer sleeves on my account! don't
spread yerself so like a cat a falling jest for me! Ruther
guess I 'm in a bad fix, and had better back right straight

[ILLUSTRATION] [Description: 729EAF. Illustration page. Image of a man ribbing his chin and looking at a woman just walking through a curtain. Another man is standing behind the first man looking serious.]

out. Ye see, Susie, no mortal man could 'a' ca'c'lated on
Laury's turning up a widow jest as I had hooked myself to
you. Now I ha'n't the least thing agin you in the world;
and I did n't mean to flunk out when I made the bargain.
But my old attachment to Laury, ye know; and here 's
Mr. Blazay, a perfect gentleman, got property, likes you;
and if you are satisfied with the swap —”

She stamped her foot again, her eyes darting fire.

“Shall I hasten his departure?” I suggested. “Door or
window, which would you prefer to see him pass out of?”

“Don't trouble yourself, I beg of ye!” said Peleg.
“You seem to understand each other, and I 'm glad on 't,”
scratching his chin. “We 'll consider it settled, if you 've
no objections. Hope the trade 'll prove satisfactory all
around. Ruther dull morning, Mr. Blazay. Look 's
though 't might clear up and be fine bimeby, — 'bout ten
o'clock, I guess. And allow me to say, Mr. Blazay, if I 've
got a colt, or any animil you happen to want, I shall be
most happy to talk. Waal, any time, ye know. Good
morning.”

Exit Peleg.

Susie arranged her bonnet-strings with agitated hands,
and was hurrying away in haste to hide her anger and her
shame, when I held out my arms to prevent her escape,
and —

“Come! come!” says Mrs. Blazay, looking over my
shoulder, “you 've written quite enough about that foolish
affair! Besides, I want you to take the baby.”

Susie's word is law. So I leave my story here.