"
"Good," cried Tom, taking her hands. "I'd rather hear a girl say that
than to hear her play a symphony. Before my father was a judge he was a
soldier. Now they call him a learned jurist but I am prouder of the fact
that he was a distinguished colonel of cavalry."
"Gracious me!" exclaimed Margaret, "I must see about dinner."
"I'll help you mother," said Lou.
"No you won't," Margaret replied. "You jest stay right whar you air."
"You won't object to my helping," said Mrs. Mayfield, arising.
"Oh, no, that is you may come an' look on."
Jim snatched his hat off the floor and followed, leaving Tom and Lou
alone in the room. The girl stood leaning on the table looking at the
young fellow, and though often of late had they strolled alone in the
woods, yet he seemed to feel that this was the first time he stood
facing so confidential a privilege.
"And you lived away off in Maine," said Lou.
"Yes, until father received the appointment to come down here."
"Is yo' mother livin'?"
"No, I can just remember her."
She mused for a few moments as if struggling with a thought.
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