But Pippin never said it. At that moment the screen door swung open, and a man entered. A man about Pippin's age, in linen duster and straw hat, carrying a basket of vegetables. A grocer's assistant, evidently; his wagon stood at the gate. The first thing that struck Pippin was the eager glance the man threw about the room, and the sharp flash of--was it suspicion or jealousy?--as his eyes fell upon him, Pippin. This was the first impression; the second was that Mary did not like him; the third that the man's nose was crooked. Having received these three impressions, Pippin bent over his potato knife, and polished it assiduously. Where _had_ he seen that nose? Where _had_ he seen that nose? It couldn't be--was it?--green grass! now wouldn't that-- He glanced warily up, and seeing the man's attention engrossed by Mary, took a good look at him. A thin, sharp face, eyes too near together, a straight slit of a mouth; but the nose was what interested Pippin. It was certainly _very_ crooked! A long sharp nose; that must have been a powerful blow which had turned it from the straight course. Pippin's right fist clenched involuntarily, with a reminiscent thrill; the corners of his mouth twitched, and his eyes twinkled. "Green grass!" he murmured again. "No, I guess we shan't want anything to-morrow!" said Mary, in cool, flute-like tones. "No, you needn't call, thank you. We'll telephone when we need anything." "Got company, I see!" the man directed an ugly scowl at Pippin. Pippin looked up cheerfully. "Hello, Nosey!" he said. "That you? Quite a stranger, ain't you?" Again the man's eyes flashed, and this time there was recognition in them; the next moment his face was a wooden mask. "Guess you've got me!" he said. "Stranger to me, far as I know. That your wheel out there?" He spoke with a curious mixture of eagerness and sullenness. "Sure thing! Forgot me, have you, Nosey? Say 'Pippin,' and see if you don't fetch it?" "We don't carry apples at this season," stolidly. "Berries is what we carry now, and early peaches." "That so? Well, you're a peach, all right, all right. Well, Miss Flower, I expect I--" He was about to rise and make his adieux, when a look from Mary tingled through him to his toes; it said, "Stay!" He settled back in his seat. "I expect I'm ready for those other things you spoke of," he said slowly. "Scissors, was they, or knives?" "Scissors!" said Mary. "I'll get them!" She vanished. As the door closed behind her, the man made a step toward Pippin, and spoke low and savagely. "You quit, do you hear? Quit and stay quit! If I catch you here again, I'll--" he indicated measures which would seriously incommode Pippin's internal economy.