Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/147

 uprooting this woman from your mind and heart. Forget her. There are sweet true girls here among the mountains. There is surely one among them who could make you happy. Do as your father and grandfathers have done before you. Marry and live here in your mountains contentedly among your own people."

He listened in silence until she ended, his eyes on the distant hills. Then he looked down at her, a slow smile transfiguring his face.

"You 'uns is good t' tell me right out whut ye think," he said gratefully. "But I reckon it's best fer me t' find aout things fer m'self. Father 'lows we don't gain much by the experience uv others," continued this novice philosopher of the mountains, "’n I reckon he's right. It's too late t' talk abaout uprootin' the liking I have fer Her. Ye might ez well tell me t' uproot thet tree 'ith m' hands."

He indicated a sturdy oak near them as he spoke.

"I reckon I 'll give her th' chanst t' send me back yere, ef she wants ter," he