“And I didn't know who you meant,” proceeded 'Manda Grier, busy with the cups and saucers, “when you kept hurryin' me up to change it; 'Oh, quick, quick! How long you are! I know he'll get away; I _know_ he will!' and I had to just _sling_ on a shawl and rush out after this boneset.” “There! Now that _shows_ she's makin' it all up!” cried Statira. “She put on a sack, and I helped her on with it myself. So there!” “Well, if it _was_ a sack! And after all, the young man was gone when I got down int' the street,” concluded 'Manda Grier solemnly. Lemuel had thought she was talking about him; but now a pang of jealousy went through him, and showed at the eyes he fixed on her. “I don't know what I sh'd 'a' done,” she resumed demurely, “if I hadn't have found Mr. Barker at the apothecary's and got _him_ to come home 'th me; but of course, 'twan't the same as if it was the young man!” Lemuel's arm fell from Statira's waist in his torment. “Why, Lemuel!” she said in tender reproach. “Why, you coot!” cried 'Manda Grier in utter amazement at his single-mindedness; and burst into a scream of laughter. She took the teapot from the stove, and set it on the table. “There, young man--if you _are_ the young man--you better pull up to the table, and have something to start your ideas. S'tira! Let him come!” and Lemuel, blushing for shame at his stupidity, did as he was bid. “I've got the greatest mind in the world to set next to S'tira myself,” said 'Manda Grier, “for fear she should miss that young man!” and now they both laughed together at Lemuel; but the girls let him sit between them, and Statira let him keep one of her hands under the table, as much as she could. “I never saw such a jealous piece! Why, I shall begin to be afraid for myself. What should you think of S'tira's going to housekeeping with me?” “I don't believe he likes the idea one bit,” Statira answered for him. “Oh yes, I do!” Lemuel protested. “'D you tell him?” 'Manda Grier demanded of her. She nodded with saucy defiance. “Well, you _have_ got along! And about the box-factory?” Statira nodded again, with a look of joyous intelligence at Lemuel. “Well, what _hain't_ you told, I wonder!” 'Manda Grier added seriously to Lemuel, “I think it'll be about the best thing in the world for S'tira. I see for the last six months she's been killin' herself in that store. She can't ever get a chance to set down a minute; and she's on her feet from mornin' till night; and I think it's more 'n half that that's made her sick; I don't _say_ what the other four-fifths was! “Now, 'Manda Grier, stop!”