"
The old man, shrewder than she was aware, left off his work and at her
looked a droll inquiry. She met his gaze. "Ma'm, you don't mean that
with all yo' finery you--"
With a gesture she cut him short, "Don't talk that way, Mr. Starbuck. He
comes to me a religion typified, and I would rather walk over a stony
road with him than to ride in a chariot with any other human being."
The old man laughed and shook his head. "Oh, I know'd it as soon as I
seed his eye a hummin' of a tune, an' I said to myse'f, 'at last the
gate has been opened for him.'"
"But please don't say a word about it to anybody, Mr. Starbuck. Let the
result come as a surprise."
"I won't, but when does the--"
"Oh, I mustn't tell you that. I want to surprise you, too."
"All right. I reckon I'm the easiest man to surprise you ever come
across."
She came closer to him. "Let me turn for you--Uncle Jasper."
He slapped his leg and laughed. "Uncle Jasper! Now that do sound like
music, don't it? No, you better not turn this here grind-stone. You mout
git splashed.
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