"Dear me!" She swept his graceful figure sarcastically. "And, of
course, twenty miles from a brush, too."

He laughed with deep delight at her thrust, for the warm youth in
him did not ask for pointed wit on the part of a young woman so
attractive and with a manner so delightfully provoking.

"I expaict I have gathered up some scenery on the journey. I'll
go brush it off and get ready for supper. I'd admire to sit
beside y'u and pass the butter and the hash if y'u don't object.
Y'u see, I don't often meet up with ladies, and I'd ought to
improve my table manners when I get a chanct with one so much
older than I am and o' course so much more experienced."

"I see you don't intend to pass any honey with the hash," she
flashed, with a glimpse of the pearls.

"DIDN'T y'u say y'u was older than me? I believe I've plumb
forgot how old y'u said y'u was, Miss Darling."

"Your memory's such a sieve it wouldn't be worth while telling
you. After you've been to school a while longer maybe I'll try
you again."

"Some ladies like 'em young," he suggested, amiably.

"But full grown," she amended.

"Do y'u judge by my looks or my ways?" he inquired, anxiously.