That ended it. All knew Lime. Everybody had heard how he could lift one end of the separator and toss a two-bushel sack filled with wheat over the hind wheel of a wagon, and the terror of his kick was not unknown to them. They all felt sure that the Yohes would not return, and all went back into the house and attempted to go on with the games. But it was impossible; such exciting events must be discussed, and the story was told and retold by each one. When Milton returned to the parlor, he saw Bettie, tender, dignified and grave, bending over Blackler, bathing his bruised face. Milton had never admired her more than at that moment; she looked so womanly. She no longer cared what people thought. The other girls, pale and tearful and a little hysterical, stood about, close to their sweethearts. They enjoyed the excitement, however, and the fight appealed to something organic in them. The donation party was at an end, that was clear, and the people began to get ready to go home. Bettie started to thank Lyman for his help. "Don't say anything. I'd 'a' done it jest the same f'r anybody. It ain't the thing to come to a donation and git up a row." Milton hardly knew whether to ask Bettie to go back with him or not, but Blackler relieved him from embarrassment by rousing up and saying: "Oh, I'm all right now, Bettie. Hyere's yer girl, Milt. See the eye I've got on me? She says she won't ride home with any such"---- "Ed, what in the world do you mean?" Bettie could hardly understand her lover's sudden exultation; it was still a very serious matter to her, in spite of the complete reconciliation which had come with the assault. She felt in a degree guilty, and that feeling kept her still tearful and subdued, but Ed leered and winked with his good eye in uncontrollable delight. Milton turned to Bettie at last, and said: "Well! I'll get Marc around to the door in a few minutes. Get your things on." Bettie and Ed stood close together by the door. She was saying: "You'll forgive me, won't you, Ed?" "Why, course I will, Bettie. I was as much to blame as you was. I no business to git mad till I knew what I was gittin' mad _at_." They were very tender now. "I'll--I'll go home with you, if you want me to, 'stead of with Milt," she quavered. "No, I've got to take S'fye home. It's the square thing." "All right, Ed, but come an' let me talk it all straight." "It's all straight now; let's let it all go, whaddy y' say?" "All right, Ed." There was a kiss that the rest pretended not to hear. And bidding them all good-night, Bettie ran out to the fence, where Milton sat waiting.