wishMarkwasalittledifferent；Idon’tlikehiscarelessways！
　　Headmiresme，Icantellone；thatbythewayhelooks，butheadmireshimselfjustasmuch，andexpectsmetodothesame；
　　still，Isupposenoneofthemareperfect，andgirlshavetoforgivelotsoflittlethingswhentheyareengaged。Mothermusthaveforgivenagoodmanythingswhenshetookfather。Anyway，Markisgoingawayforamonthonbusiness，soIshan’thavetomakeupmymindjustyet！"Heresleepdescendedupontheslightlypuzzled，butonthewholedelightfullycomplacent，littlecreature，bringinghermostalluringanduntrustworthydreams。
　　Thedearinnocenthad，indeed，noneedofhaste！YoungMr。
　　MarquisdeLafayetteWilson，Markforshort，wasnotintheleastagaydeceiverorruthlessbreakerofhearts，and，sofarasknown，noscalpsofvillagebeautieswerehungtohisbelt。Hewasalikable，light—weightyoungchap，asindolentandpleasure—lovingasthestrictcustomsofthecommunitywouldpermit；andakiss，inhismind，mostcertainlyneverwouldleadtothealtar，elsehehadalreadybeenmanytimesabridegroom。MissPatienceBaxter’smaidenmeditationsanduncertaintiesandperplexities，therefore，weredecidedlypremature。Shewasanatural—born，unconsciouslyartistic，highlyexpert，andfinishedcoquette。Shewasallthisatseventeen，andMarkattwenty—fourwasbynomeansamatchforherinthisfieldofeffort，yet！——butsometimes，ingettinghervictimintothenet，thecoquettelosesherbalanceandfallsinherself。Therewasn’tabitofharminMarquisdeLafayette，buthewasextremelyagileinkeepingoutofnets！
　　Waitstillwasrestless，too，thatnight，althoughshecouldnothavetoldthereason。Sheopenedherwindowatthebackofthehouseandleanedout。Theeveningwasmildwithasoftwindblowing。Shecouldhearthefullbrookdashingthroughtheedgeofthewood—lot，andeventhe"ker—chug"ofanoccasionalbull—frog。Thereweregreatmistystarsinthesky，butnomoon。
　　TherewasnolightinAuntAbbyCole’skitchen，butafaintglimmershonethroughthewindowsofUncleBart’sjoiner’sshop，showingthattheoldmanwaseitherhavinganhourofpeacefulcontemplationwithnocompanionbuthispipe，orthattheremightbealittlegroupofprivilegedvisitors，headedbyJedMorrill，busilydiscussingtheaffairsofthenation。
　　Waitstillfelttroubledandanxiousto—night；bruisedbythelittledailytormentsthatlessenedhercouragebutneverwhollydestroyedit。Anyonewhobelievedimplicitlyinhereditymighthavebeenpuzzled，perhaps，toaccountforher。Hemightfantasticallypictureherasmakingherselfoutofherancestors，usingafreehand，pickingandchoosingwhatshelikedbest，withduecarefortheeffectofcombinations；selectinghereandthereandmodifying，ifadvisable，atraitofGrandpaorGrandmaFoxwell，ofGreat—UncleorGreat—AuntBaxter；borrowingqualitieslavishlyfromherowngentlybornandgentlybredmother，andcarefullyavoidingherrespectedfather’sStock，except，perhaps，totakeadashofhispluckandanounceofhispersistence。JedMorrillremarkedofDeaconBaxteronce："WhenOldFoxywantsanythinghe’11waittillhellfreezesoveraforehe’llgiveup。"
　　Waitstillhadherfather’sfirmchin，buttherethelikenessended。Theproudcurveofhernostrils，theclearwell—openedeyewithitsdeepfringeoflashes，theearnestmouth，allthesecamefromthemotherwhowaslittlemorethanadimmemory。
　　Waitstilldisdainedanyvague，dreary，colorlesstheoryoflifeanditsmeaning。Shehadjoinedthechurchatfifteen，moreorlessbecauseothergirlsdidandtheparsonhadpersuadedher；
　　butoutofherhardlifeshehadsomehowframedacourageousphilosophythatkepthererectanduncrushed，nomatterhowgreatherdifficulties。Shehadnoideaofbringingapoor，weak，draggledsoultoherMakeratthelastday，saying"HereisallI
　　havemanagedtosaveoutofwhatyougaveme！"Thatwouldbesomething，sheallowed，immeasurablysomething；butpitifulcomparedwithwhatshemightdoifshecouldkeepabrave，vigorousspiritandmarchtothelasttribunalstrengthenedbybattles，struggles，defeats，victories；bythedefenseofweakerhumancreatures，aboveall，warmedandvitalizedbythepouringoutandgatheringinoflove。
　　Pattysleptsweetlyontheothersideofthepartition，thecontemplationofhertwopennytriumphsbringingasmiletoherchildishlips：butevensoagoodheartwasthere（stillperhapsintheprocessofmaking），aquickwit，readysympathy，naturalcharm；plenty，indeed，forthestrongersistertocherish，protect，andholdprecious，asshedid，withallhermindandsoul。
　　TherehadalwaysbeenapassionateloyaltyinWaitstill’saffection，whereverithadbeenbestowed。UncleBartdelightedintellinganinstanceofitthatoccurredwhenshewasachildoffive。Mainehadjustseparatedamicablyfromhermother，Massachusetts，andbecomeanindependentstate。ItwasinthemiddleofMarch，buttherewasnosnowonthegroundandthevillageboyshadbuiltabonfireonaplotoflandnearUncleBart’sjoiner’sshop。TherewasalargegatheringincelebrationofthehistoriceventandWaitstillcreptdownthehillwithherhomemaderagdollinherarms。Shestoodontheoutskirtsofthecrowd，asilent，absorbedlittlefigurecladinashabbywoollencoat，withablueknithoodframingherrosyface。Deborah，herbeloved，heronlydoll，wastightlyclaspedinherarms，forDebby，likeherparent，hadfewpleasuresandmustnotbedeniedsogreataoneasthis。Suddenly，oneofthethoughtlessyoungscampsinthegroup，wishingtocreateanewsensationandaddtothegeneralexcitement，caughtthedollfromthechild’sarms，andrunningforwardwithaloudwar—whoop，flungitintotheflames。Waitstilldidnotloseaninstant。ShegaveascreamOfanguish，andwithoutgivinganywarningofherintentions，probablywithoutrealizingthemherself，shedashedthroughthelittlecrowdintothebonfireandsnatchedhercherishedoffspringfromtheburningpile。Thewholethingwasoverinthetwinklingofaneye，forUncleBartwasasquickasthechildanddraggedheroutoftheimminentdangerwithnoworseharmdonethanagoodscorching。
　　Heledthelittlecreatureupthehilltoexplainmattersandprotectherfromascolding。Shestillheldthedollagainstherheavingbreast，saying，betweenhersobs："Icouldn’tletmyDebbyburnup！Icouldn’t，UncleBart；she’sgotnobodybutme！
　　IsmydressscorchedsomuchIcan’twearit？You’11tellfatherhowitwas，UncleBart，won’tyou？"
　　Debbyborethemarksofheradventurelongerthanherowner，forshehadbeenlongerinthefire，but，stainedanddefacedasshewas，shewasneverreplaced，andremainedtheonlydollofWaitstill’schildhood。Atthisverymomentshelaysoftlyandsafelyinabureaudrawerreadytobeliftedout，sometime，Waitstillfancied，andshowntenderlytoPatty’schildren。Ofherownpossiblechildrensheneverthought。Therewasbutonemanintheworldwhocouldeverbethefatherofthemandshewasseparatedfromhimbyeveryobstaclethatcoulddividetwohumanbeings。
　　SUMMER
　　VIII
　　THEJOINER’SSHOP
　　VILLAGE"Aunts"and"Uncles"wereelectedtothatrelationshipbythecommonconsentofthecommunity；theirfitnessbeingestablishedbygreatage，bydecidedindividualityoreccentricityofcharacter，byuncommonlovableness，orbythepossessionofanabundantwitandhumor。Therewasnoformalityaboutthething；certainwomenwerealwayscalled"AuntSukie，"
　　or"AuntHitty，"orwhatnot，whilecertainmenweredistinguishedas"UncleRish，"or"UnclePel，"withoutpreviousarrangement，ortheconsentofthehighcontractingparties。
　　SuchacouplewereCephasCole’sfatherandmother，AuntAbbyandUncleBart。BartholomewCole’stradewasthatofajoiner；asforAuntAbby’s，itcanonlybesaidthatshemadealltradesherownbysovereignrightofinvestigation，andwhatshedidnotknowaboutherneighbor’soccupationswasunlikelytohediscoveredonthissideofJordan。OneofthevillagersdeclaredthatAuntAbbyandherneighbor，Mrs。AbelDay，hadarguedforanhourbeforetheycouldmakeabargainaboutthemethodofdisseminatingacertainimportantpieceofnews，theirsbyexclusiverightofdiscoveryandpriorpossession。Mrs。DayofferedtogiveMrs。
　　ColetheprivilegeofSacoHillandAuntBetty—Jack’s，sheherselftotakeGuide—BoardandTown—HouseHills。AuntAbbyquicklyprovedtheinjusticeofthisdecision，sayingthatthereweretwiceasmanyfamilieslivinginMrs。Day’schosenterritoryastherewereinthatallottedtoher，sotheriverroadtoMilliken’sMillswasgrudginglyawardedtoAuntAbbybywayofcompromise，andtheladiesstartedonwhatwasatourofmercyinthosedays，thefurnishingofasubjectofdiscussionforlong，quietevenings。
　　UncleBart’sjoiner’sshopwasatthefootofGuide—BoardHillontheRiverborosideofthebridge，anditwasthepleasantestspotinthewholevillage。Theshopitselfhadacheerylook，withitsweather—stainedshingles，itssmallsquarewindows，anditshospitabledoor，halfasbigasthefrontsideofthebuilding。
　　Thestepwasanoldmillstonetoowornforactiveservice，andthepilesofchipsandshavingsoneachsideofithadbeenthereforsomanyyearsthatsweet—williams，clovepinks，andpurplephloxweregrowinginamongtheminthemostirresponsiblefashion；whileamorning—gloryvinehadcreptupandcurledaroundalong—handledrakethathadbeenstandingagainstthefrontofthehousesinceearlyspring。TherewasanairofcosyandamiabledisorderabouttheplacethatwouldhaveinvitedfriendlyconfabulationevenhadnotUncleBart’swhitehead，honest，ruddyface，andsmilingwelcomecoaxedyouinbeforeyouwereaware。AfineNodheadappletreeshadedthesidewindows，andunderneathitreposedallsummerabrightbluesleigh，forUncleBartalwaysdescribedhimselfasbeing"plaguedforshedroom"andkeptthingsashelikedattheshop，havinga"p’isonneat"wifewhodidexactlytheoppositeathishouse。
　　Theseatofthesleighwasallwhitenowwithscatteredfruitblossoms，andoneofWaitstill’searliestremembranceswasofgoingdownhillwithPattytoddlingatherside；ofUncleBart’sliftingthemintothesleighandpermittingthemtositthereandeattheriperedapplesthathadfallenfromthetree。UncleBart’sson，Cephas（Patty’ssecretadorer），wasapainterbytrade，andkepthispotsandcansandbrushesinalittleouthouseattheback，whileUncleBarthimselfstoodeverydaybehindhislongjoiner’sbenchalmostknee—deepinshavings。Howthechildrenlovedtoplaywiththewhite，satinyrings，makingthemintonecklaces，hangingthemtotheirearsandweavingthemintowreaths。
　　Wonderfulhousescouldalwaysbebuiltinthecorneroftheshop，outofthelittleoddsandendsand"nubbins"ofwhitepine，andUncleBartwaseverreadytocutorsawaspecialpieceneededforsomegreatpurpose。
　　Thesoundoftheplanewassweetmusicintheoldjoiner’sears。
　　"Idon’thardlyknowhowI’damadeoutifI’dhadtoworkinamill，"hesaidconfidentiallytoCephas。"Thenoiseofasawgoin’allday，coupledwithyourmother’stonguemornin’san’
　　evenin’s，would’a’beentoomuchformyweakhead。I’maquietman，Cephas，amanthatneedsapeacefulshopwherehecangetawayfromthecomfortsofhomenowandthen，withoutshirkin’hisdutynorcausin’gossip。Ifyoushouldevermarry，Cephas，——whichdon’tlooktomelikelywithoutyoupickoutadif’rentgirl，——I
　　’dadviseyounottokeepyourstocko’paintsinthebarnortheshed，forit’saltogethertoohandytothehouseandthewomen—folks。Takemyadviceandhaveaplacetoyourself，evenifit’sasmallone。Ashoporabarnhassavedmanyaman’slifeandreasonCephas，forit’sag’in’awoman’snaturetohaveyouunderfootinthehousewithouthectorin’you。Chooseagirlsame’syouwouldahorsethatyouwanttohitchupintoaspan；
　　’tain’teverytwothat’llstan’togetherwithoutkickin’。Whenyougettherightgirl，keepoutofherwayconsid’ablean’
　　there’llbelesswearan’tear。"
　　ItwasJuneandthecountrysidewassobeautifulitseemedasifnoonecouldbeunhappy，howevergreatthecause。ThatwaswhatWaitstillBaxterthoughtasshesatdownonthemillstonestepforawordwiththeoldjoiner，herbestandmostunderstandingfriendinallthevillage。
　　"I’vecometodomymendingherewithyou，"shesaidbrightly，asshetookoutherwell—filledbasketandthreadedherneedle。
　　"Isn’titawonderfulmorning？Nobodycouldlooktheworldinthefaceanddoawrongthingonsuchaday，couldthey，UncleBart？"
　　Themeadowswereawavingmassofgoldenbuttercups；theshallowwaterattheriver’sedgejustbelowtheshopwasbluewithspikesofarrow—weed；abunchoffragrantwater—lilies，gatheredfromthemill—pond’supperlevels，laybesideWaitstill’smending—basket，andeveryfootofroadsideandfieldwithinsightwasswayingwithlong—stemmedwhiteandgolddaisies。TheJunegrass，thefriendly，humble，companionablegrass，thatnooneeverpraisesastheydotheflowers，wasarichemeraldgreen，avelvetcarpetfitforthefeetoftheangelsthemselves。Andtheelmsandmaples！Wasthereeversuchayearforrichnessoffoliage？Andthesky，wasiteversoblueorsoclear，sofaraway，orsocompletelylikeheaven，asyoulookedatitsreflectionintheglassysurfaceoftheriver？
　　"Yes，it’saprettygoodday，"allowedUncleBartjudiciallyashetookasquintathisT—square。"Idon’know’sIshouldwanttostartoutan’trytobeatit！TheLordcanmakeagoodmanykindso’weatherinthecourseofayear，butwhenHeputshismindontoit，an’kindo’givesHimselfafreehand，HecanturnoutaJunemorningthatmustmaketheDevilsicktohisstomachwithenvy！Allthesame，Waity，mycowain’tbehavin’herselfanybetter’nusual。She’sbeenrampagin’sincesun—up。I’veseenmotherchasin’herouto’Mis’Day’sgarden—patchtwicea’ready！——Itseemsrealgoodan’homeytoseeyousettin’theresewin’whileI’mworkin’atthebench。Cephasisdowntothestore，soIs’poseyourfather’soffsomewheres？"
　　PerhapstheJunegrasswasalittlegreener，thebuttercupsyellower，thefoliagemorelacey，theskybluer，becauseDeaconBaxterhadtakenhisluncheoninapailunderthewagonseat，anddepartedonanunwillingjourneytoModeration，hisobjectbeingtopressthecollectionofsomeaccountstoolongoverdue。Therewassomethingtragicinthefact，Waitstillthought，thatwheneverherfatherleftthevillageforawholeday，lifeatoncegrewbrighter，easier，morehopeful。Onecouldbreathefreely，speakone’sheartout，believeinthefuture，whenfatherwasaway。
　　Thegirlshadharboredmanydelightfulplansatearlybreakfast。
　　AsitwasSaturday，PattycouldcatchlittleRodBoynton，ifhecametothebridgeonerrandsasusual；andifIvorycouldsparehimforanhouratnoontheywouldtaketheirluncheonandeatittogetherontheriver—bankasPattyhadpromisedhim。Atthelastmoment，however，DeaconBaxterhadturnedaroundinthewagonandsaid："Patience，yougodowntothestoreandhavearegularhouse—cleanin’inthestock—room。GitCephastoliftwhatyoucan’tliftyourself，moveeverythingintheplace，sweepanddustit，scrubthefloor，washthewinder，andmakeroomforthenewstuffthatthey’11bringupfromMill—town’boutnoon。Ifyouhaveanytimeleftover，putnewpapersontheshelvesoutfront，andcleanupandfixtheshowwinder。Don’tstandroundgabbin’
　　withCephas，andsee’thedon’twastetimethat’spaidforbyme。
　　Tellhimhemightcleanuptheterbaccerstainsroundthestove，blackit，andcoveritupforthesummerifheain’ttoobusyservin’cust’mers。"
　　"Thewholedayspoiled！"wailedPatty，flingingherselfdowninthekitchenrocker。"Father’spowersofinventionbeatanythingI
　　eversaw！
　　Thatstock—roomcouldhavebeencleanedanytimethismonthandit’stooheavyworkformeanyway；itspoilsmyhands，grubbingaroundthosenasty，sticky，splinteryboxesandbarrels。Insteadofbeingoutofdoors，I’vegottobeshutupinthatsmelly，rummy，tobacco—y，salt—fishy，peppermintyplacewithCephasCole！
　　Hewon’thaveapleasantmorning，Icantellyou！Ishallsnaphisheadoffeverytimehespeakstome。"
　　"SoIwould！"Waitstillansweredcomposedly。"EverythingissoclearlyhisfaultthatIcertainlywouldworkoffmytemperonCephas！Still，Icanthinkofawaytomakematterscomeoutright。I’vegotagreatbasketofmendingthatmustbedone，andyourememberthere’sachoirrehearsalforthenewanthemthisafternoon，butanywayIcanhelpalittleonthecleaning。ThenyoucanmakeRodmandoafewoftheoddjobs，itwillbeanoveltytohim；andCephaswillworkhisfingerstotheboneforyou，asyouwellknow，ifyoutreathimlikeahumanbeing。"
　　"Allright！"criedPattyjoyously，hermoodchanginginaninstant。"There’sRodcomingoverthebridgenow！Tossmemyginghamapronandthescrubbing—brush，andthepail，andthetinofsoftsoap，andthecleaningcloths；let’ssee，thebroom’sdownthere，soI’vegoteverything。IfIwaveatowelfromthestore，packupluncheonforthree。Youcomedownandbringyourmending；then，whenyouseehowI’mgettingon，wecanconsult。
　　I’mgoingtotakethetencentsI’vesavedandspenditinraisins。IcangetagoodmanyifCephasgivesmewholesaleprice，withfamilydiscountsubstractedfromthat。Cephaswouldtreatmetocandyinaminute，butifIlethimwe’dhavetoaskhimtothepicnic！Good—bye！"Andthevolatilecreaturedarteddownthehillsinging，"There’llbesomethinginheavenforchildrentodo，"atthetopofherhealthyyounglungs。
　　IX
　　CEPHASSPEAKS
　　THEwavingsignal，alittlelateron，showedthatRodmancouldgotothepicnic，thefactbeingthathewashavingaholidayfromeleveno’clockuntiltwo，andIvorywasgoingtodrivetothebridgeatnoon，anyway，sohispermissioncouldthenbeasked。
　　Patty’smindmighthavebeenthoughtentirelyonheruglytaskasshesweptanddustedandscrubbedthatmorning，butthereversewastrue。MarkWilsonhadgoneawaywithoutsayinggood—byetoher。Thiswasnotsurprising，perhaps，asshewasaboutasmuchsequesteredinherhilltopprisonasaTurkishbeautyinaharem；
　　neitherwasitastonishingthatMarkdidnotwritetoher。Heneverhadwrittentoher，andasherfatheralwaysbroughthometheveryinfrequentlettersthatcametothefamily，Markknewthatanysentimentalcorrespondencewouldbefraughtwithdanger。
　　No，everythingwasprobablyjustasitshouldbe，andyet，——well，Pattyhadexpectedduringthelastthreeweeksthatsomethingwouldhappentobreakupthemonotonyofherformerexistence。
　　Shehardlyknewwhatitwouldbe，butthekissdroppedsolightlyonhercheekbyMarkWilsonstillburnedinremembrance，andmadehersurethatitwouldhaveasequel，oranexplanation。
　　Mark’ssisterEllenandPhilPerrywereinthemidstofsomeformoflover’squarrel，andduringitsprogressPhilwaspayingconsiderableattentiontoPattyatSabbathSchoolandprayer—meeting，occasions，itmustbeconfessed，onlyprovocativeofveryindirectandlong—distanceadvances。CephasCole，totheamazementofeveryonebuthis（constitutionally）exasperatedmother，was"toningdown"theellofthefamilymansion，mitigatingthelivelyyellow，andputtinganotherfreshcoatofpaintonit，fornoconceivablereasonsavethatofpleasingtheeyeofacertaincapricious，ungratefulyounghussy，whowouldprobablysay，whenherverdictwasasked，thatshedidn’tseeanyparticulardifferenceinit，onewayoranother。
　　TradewasnotespeciallybriskattheDeacon’semporiumthissunnyJuneSaturdaymorning。CephasmayhavepossiblylostacustomerortwobyleavingthestorevacantwhilehetoiledandsweatedforMissPatienceBaxterinthestockroomattheback，overhangingtheriver，butnomanalivecouldseehisemployer’slovelydaughtertuggingatakegofshinglenailswithouttryingtosaveherfromabrokenback，althoughCephascouldhavewatchedhismothermovethehouseandbarnwithoutfeelingtheslightestanxietyinherbehalf。Ifhecouldevergetthe"heft"
　　ofthe"doggoned"cleaningoutofthewaysothatPatty’smindcouldbefreetoentertainhisproposition；couldeversecureonepreciousmomentofsilencewhenshewasnotslattingandbanging，pushingandpullingthingsabout，herheadandearsoutofsightunderashelf，andanirritatingairofabsorptionaboutherwholedemeanor；ifthatmomentofsilencecouldever，underProvidence，besimultaneouswiththeabsenceofcustomersinthefrontshop，CephasintendedtoofferhimselftoPatienceBaxterthatverymorning。
　　Once，duringatemporarylullintherear，hestartedtomeethisfatewhenRodmanBoyntonfollowedhimintothebackroom，andtheboywasatoncesettoworkbyPatty，whowasthemostconsummateslave—driverintheStateofMaine。AfterhalfanhourtherewasanotherHeavensentchance，whenRodmanwentuptoUncleBart’sshopwithamessageforWaitstill，but，justthen，incameBillMorrill，aboyoftwelve，witharequestforagallonofmolasses；andwouldCephaslendhimastonejugoverSunday，forhismotherhadherssoakin’outinsoap—suds’cause’twa’n’tsmellin’jestright。Bill’smessagegiven，hehurrieduptheroadonanothererrand，promisingtocallforthemolasseslater。
　　Cephasputthegallonmeasureunderthespigotofthemolasseshogsheadandturnedonthetap。Thetaskwasgoingtobealongoneandhegrewimpatient，forthestreamwasonlyaslendertrickle，scarcelymorethantheslowdrippingofdrops，sothemolassesmustbeveryneverlow，andwithhismindfullofweightieraffairshemustmakeanotetotelltheDeacontobroachanewhogshead。Cephasfearedthathecouldnevermakeoutafullgallon，inwhichcaseMrs。Morrillwouldbevexed，forshekeptmillboardersandbakedquantitiesofbrownbreadandgingerbreadandmolassescookiesforoverSunday。Hedidwishtradewouldlanguishaltogetheronthisparticularmorning。Theminutesdraggedbyandagaintherewasperfectquietinthestock—room。Asthedooropened，Cephas，takinghislastchance，wentforwardtomeetPatty，whowasturningdowntheskirtofherdress，takingtheclothoffherhead，smoothingherhair，andtyingonacleanwhiteruffedapron，inwhichshelookedasprettyasapink。
　　"Patty！"stammeredCephas，seizinghisgoldenopportunity，"Patty，keepyourmindonmeforaminute。I’veputanewcoato’
　　paintontheelljusttopleaseyou；won’tyougetmarriedandsettledownwithme？IloveyousoIcan’teatnordrinknor’tendstorenornothin’！"
　　"Oh，I——I——couldn’t，Cephas，thankyou；Ijustcouldn’t，——don’taskme，"criedPatty，asnervousasCephashimselfnowthatherfirstofferhadreallycome；"I’monlyseventeenandIdon’tfeellikesettlingdown，Cephas，andfatherwouldn’tthinkoflettingmegetmarried。"
　　"Don’tplaytricksonme，Patty，andkeepshovin’meoffso，an’
　　givin’wrongreasons，"pleadedCephas。"What’sthetroublewithme？Iknowmother’stemper’sonsartain，butweneverneedgointothemainhousedaytimesandfather’dallersstandupag’in’herifshedidn’ttreatyouright。I’vegotagoodtradeandfatherhasahundreddollarso’mysavin’sthatIcandrawoutto—morrerifyou’llhaveme。"
　　"Ican’t，Cephas；don’tmove；staywhereyouare；no，don’tcomeanynearer；I’mnotfondofyouthatway，and，besides，——and，besides—"
　　HerblushandherevidentembarrassmentgaveCephasanewfear。
　　"Youain’tpromiseda’ready，beyou？"heaskedanxiously；"whenthereain’tafelleranywheresaroundthat’seversteppedfootoveryourfather’sdoorsillbutjestme？"
　　"Ihaven’tpromisedanythingoranybody，"
　　Pattyansweredsedately，gainingherself—controlbydegrees，"butIwon’tdenythatI’mconsidering；that’strue！"
　　"Considerin’who？"askedCephas，turningpale。
　　"Oh，——SEVERAL，ifyoumustknowthetruth"；andPatty’stonewascruelinitsjauntiness。
　　"SEVERAL！"Theworddidnotsoundlikeordinarywork—a—dayRiverboroEnglishinCephas’sears。Heknewthat"several"meantmorethanone，buthewastoostunnedtodefinethetermproperlyinitspresentstrangeconnection。
　　"Whoever’tiswouldn’tdoanybetterbyyou’nIwould。I’dtakealickin’foryouanyday，"Cephasexclaimedabjectly，afteralongpause。
　　"Thatwouldn’tmakeanydifference，Cephas，"saidPattyfirmly，movingtowardsthefrontdoorasiftoendtheinterview。"IfI
　　don’tloveyouUNlicked，Icouldn’tloveyouanybetterlicked，now，couldI？——Goodnessgracious，whatamIsteppingin？Cephas，quick！Somethinghasbeenrunningalloverthefloor。Myfeetarestickingtoit。"
　　"GoodGosh！It’sMis’Morrill’smolasses！"criedCephas，broughttohissensessuddenly。
　　Itwastootrue！Whateverhadbeenthesmallobstructioninthetap，ithaddisappeared。Thegallonmeasurehadbeenfilledtothebrimtenminutesbefore，andeversince，thetreaclyliquidhadbeenoverflowingthetopandspreadinginabrownflood，unnoticed，overthefloor。Patty’sfeetweregluedtoit，herbuffcalicoskirtsliftedhightoescapeharm。
　　"Ican’tmove，"shecried。"Oh！Youstupid，stupidCephas，howcouldyouleavethemolassesspigotturnedon？Seewhatyou’vedone！You’vewastedquartsandquarts！Whatwillfathersay，andhowwillyouevercleanupsuchamess？Younevercangetthefloortolooksothathewon’tnoticeit，andheissuretomissthemolasses。You’veruinedmyshoes，andIsimplycan’tbearthesightofyou！"