Hallett in their conversation by the fence the day before.

"I am Lulie Hallett," she went on, "and--and Mr. Howard and I
are--are--"

"We're engaged to be married," broke in Howard. "The fact is, Mr. Bangs,
I came over on my bicycle this morning to meet Lulie here where--where
no one would see us. You see--well, Cap'n Jethro--her father, you
know--is prejudiced against me and--and so to save her trouble and--and
unpleasantness we--well, we--"

He was red and confused and stammering. Galusha was almost as much
embarrassed.

"Oh--oh, all right--ah--dear me, yes, of course," he said, hastily. "I
am very sorry I--I interrupted. I beg your pardon. Ah--good-morning."

"But, Mr. Bangs," Lulie pleaded, earnestly, "you won't misunderstand
this, will you? We meet in this way on my father's account. He is--you
see, he is not very well, and rather prejudiced and--and stubborn, I'm
afraid. Please don't think that--that--"

"Of course he won't," declared Howard. "Mr. Bangs won't think anything
that he shouldn't."

"Oh, no--no," stammered Galusha, nervously. "I am--I am SO sorry I
interrupted. I BEG your pardon."

"And Mr. Bangs," said Lulie, again, "I wonder if you will be kind enough
not to tell any one you saw us? This is a small place, East Wellmouth,