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 Think, says I, I hope his patience will hold out till she gets fixed up. If you believe me, she went down just as she was! What do you 'spose he thought? But that wan't the worst of it. You see my curiosity was pretty well pricked up by that time and I thought I'd listen right behind the screen there. He spoke so soft and low I couldn't hear what he said, but she snarled out somethin' as crabbed as sour vinegar, and then went off and left him standin' there."

"Is that so?"

"I'm ready to swear to it by all the saints and holy virgins."

"You needn't go so far as that Kate, but that is incomprehensible anyhow."

"Don't go to usin' any such long heavy word as that; come right to the pint, and say she ought to have her nose put out o' jint for cuttin' such a shine with him. She might live a spinster and spin street yarn for amusement all the days of her life afore I'd stand between her and the sun again."

"What is the reason you never told of it before, if you knew it?"

"You don't 'spose I'm such a fool as to tell all I know, do you?"

"I don't think Rosa ever cared about marrying, but that needn't have prevented her from going to ride."

"Oh, don't you believe that. All these young girls mean to be married, only they like to flirt a little first. I expect 'twas somethin' she heard about Miss Blanche that nettled her up so. I'll warrant you she gets some of Mr. Livingston's visits now."