William did visit; for, like many studious people, he found a need for the excitement of society; but, whether it was party or singing school, he walked home with Mary, of course, in as steady and domestic a manner as any man who has been married a twelvemonth. His air in conversing with her was inevitably more confidential than with any other one, and this was cause for envy in many a gentle breast, and an interesting diversity of reports with regard to her manner of treating the young gentleman went forth into the village. "I wonder Mary Taylor will laugh and joke so much with William Barton in company," said one. "Her manners are altogether too free," said another. "It is evident she has designs upon him," remarked a third. "And she cannot even conceal it," pursued a fourth. Some sayings of this kind at length reached the ears of Mrs. Abigail, who had the best heart in the world, and was so indignant that it might have done your heart good to see her. Still she thought it showed that "the girl needed _advising_;" and "she should _talk_ to Mary about the matter." But she first concluded to advise with William on the subject; and, therefore, after dinner the same day, while he was looking over a treatise on trigonometry or conic sections, she commenced upon him:-- "Our Mary is growing up a fine girl." William was intent on solving a problem, and only understanding that something had been said, mechanically answered, "Yes." "A little wild or so," said Mrs. Abigail. "I know it," said William, fixing his eyes earnestly on E, F, B, C. "Perhaps you think her a little too talkative and free with you sometimes; you know girls do not always think what they do." "Certainly," said William, going on with his problem. "I think you had better speak to her about it," said Mrs. Abigail. "I think so too," said William, musing over his completed work, till at length he arose, put it in his pocket, and went to school. O, this unlucky concentrativeness! How many shocking things a man may indorse by the simple habit of saying "Yes" and "No," when he is not hearing what is said to him. The next morning, when William was gone to the academy, and Mary was washing the breakfast things, Aunt Abigail introduced the subject with great tact and delicacy by remarking.-- "Mary, I guess you had better be rather less free with William than you have been." "Free!" said Mary, starting, and nearly dropping the cup from her hand; "why, aunt, what _do_ you mean?" "Why, Mary, you must not always be around so free in talking with him, at home, and in company, and every where. It won't do." The color started into Mary's cheek, and mounted even to her forehead, as she answered with a dignified air,-- "I have not been too free; I know what is right and proper; I have not been doing any thing that was improper."