added:

"Say, JEFF, folks are talking about us awfully."

"Let 'em talk," was the rejoinder.

"Oh, yes," she replied. "Of course _you_ don't care. The more a man is
talked about the better he likes it, and the more he's thought of. But
it's death to a woman."

"Well, I don't care any way," said JEFFRY.

"Yes you do care too," she replied. S'posen it should get to the ears of
that rich widow you're engaged to. 'Twould be all up with you _there_,
sure, JEFF. She ain't burdened with principle, the Lord knows, but she's
got jealousy enough to break the match short off, and kill you besides,
if she hears of it.

"And she'll hear of it anyhow, if they keep up their infernal clack,"
said he fiercely. "I'd like to choke the whole confounded pack."

"The talk would all die out," said ANN slowly, "if I should go away."

"Any fool can see that," replied he. "What do you mean?"

"I've been thinking of going," she continued, "for six months. I'm a
poor relation, and Mrs. LADLE hates me. And as for BELINDA, she has so
many good clothes, I can't take any comfort seeing her round."

"Where to?" inquired JEFFRY incredulously.