"Mother is out," said she; "I'm so sorry."

"Is she?" said Aaron.

"And Hetta too. Dear me. And you'll be wanting dinner. I'll go
and see about it."

Aaron began to swear that he could not possibly eat any dinner. He
had dined once, and was going to dine again;--anything to keep her
from going.

"But you must have something, Mr. Dunn," and she walked towards the
door.

But he put his back to it. "Miss Susan," said he, "I guess I've
been here nearly two months."

"Yes, sir, I believe you have," she replied, shaking in her shoes,
and not knowing which way to look.

"And I hope we have been good friends."

"Yes, sir," said Susan, almost beside herself as to what she was
saying.

"I'm going away now, and it seems to be such a time before I'll be
back."

"Will it, Sir?"