Mary Then throw away that stick, and put away your knife, like a good boy.
[Throws away stick up stage.] I must cure you of that dreadful trick
of whittling.

Asa Oh, if you only knew how it helps me to keep my eyes off you, Miss Mary.

Mary But you needn't keep your eyes off me.

Asa I'm afraid I must, my eyes are awful tale-tellers,
and they might be saying something you wouldn't like to hear,
and that might make you mad, and then you'd shut up school,
and send me home feeling about as small as a tadpole with
his tail bobbed off.

Mary Don't be alarmed, I don't think I will listen to any tales
that your eyes may tell unless they're tales I like and ought to hear.

Asa If I thought they'd tell any other, Miss Mary, I pluck them
right out and throw them in the first turnip patch I came to.

Mary And now tell me more about your home in America. Do you know
I've listened to your stories until I'm half a backwoodsman's wife already?

Asa [Aside.] Wouldn't I like to make her a whole one.

Mary Yes, I can shut my eyes and almost fancy I see your home
in the backwoods. There are your two sisters running about
in their sunbonnets.