"
CHAPTER XVI.
THE APPOINTMENT COMES.
While she was still standing there, musing over her happiness, Lije
Peters, peering about, came into the yard. He cleared his throat and she
looked at him, and moving further off, she sat down in a rocking-chair
which she had brought from the house earlier in the day. With a show of
respect Peters took off his hat.
"Howdy do, ma'm? I don't believe you an' me air very well acquainted."
"Our acquaintance hasn't ripened into friendship."
He laughed and replied: "Well, the bloom may be as putty as the fruit."
"Very good. I didn't expect it--of you."
"Didn't expect me at all, did you?"
"If I had I should not have remained here."
He cleared his throat. "I know all about bees, but I didn't know befo'
that a butterfly could sting. But I'd ruther be stung than to have no
attention paid to me at all." She arose to go away, but he intercepted
her. "Beggin' yo' pardon, ma'm, for what I've said an' what I am about
to say, will you let me talk business to you for about a minit?"
"I know nothing about business," she replied.
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