Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/149

 "Ho, yus; you did," said Ermyntrude very firmly. "They began with haffability; an' then you giv' me flowers an' took me to music 'alls. Why, you give me this 'at."

"No! I never gave you that hat!" cried Hilary Vance in a sudden bellow of protest.

"Well, you giv' me the money for it. It's the syme thing," said Ermyntrude with unabated firmness.

"Yes; I told you to buy a hat—the hat of your choice. I wanted to draw you in it. But I never bought that hat—never! I will not endure the aspersion!" bellowed Hilary Vance.

"Well, I've bin expectin' you to propose ever since; an' las' night you proposed proper—before witnesses," said Ermyntrude, returning to her main position.

"I couldn't have done it—I couldn't," muttered Hilary Vance in the voice of a broken man; and on his face rested a vast dismay.

"You're never goin' to be dishonorable as to go an' deny it!" cried Ermyntrude shrilly.

"I wasn't myself," groaned Hilary Vance.

"Oh, 'Ilary, 'ow can you sye it, when I ses to