“I guess Mr. Barker's good enough for me a while yet,” said Statira, and she hastened to add, “The name, I mean,” and at this they all laughed till Statira said, “I shall _certainly_ die!” She suddenly recovered herself--those girls seemed to do everything like lightning, Lemuel observed--and said, “No, I ain't goin' to have mine told at all. I don't like it. Seems kind of wicked. I ruther talk. I never _could_ make it just right to act so with the Bible.” Lemuel was pleased at that. Statira seemed prettier than ever in this mood of reverence. “Well, don't talk too much when I'm gone,” said 'Manda Grier, and before anybody could stop her, she ran out of the room. But she put her head in again to say, “I'll be back as soon's I can take this key home.” Lemuel did not know what to do. The thought of being alone with Statira again was full of rapture and terror. He was glad when she seized the door and tried to keep 'Manda Grier. “I--I--guess I better be going,” he said. “You sha'n't go till I get back, anyway,” said 'Manda Grier hospitably. “You keep him, S'tira!” She gave Statira a little push, and ran down the stairs. Statira tottered against Lemuel, with that round, soft shoulder which had touched him before. He put out his arms to save her from falling, and they seemed to close round her of themselves. She threw up her face, and in a moment he had kissed her. He released her and fell back from her aghast. She looked at him. “I--I didn't mean to,” he panted. His heart was thundering in his ears. She put up her hands to her face, and began to cry. “Oh, my goodness!” he gasped. He wavered a moment, then he ran out of the room. On the stairs he met 'Manda Grier coming up. “Now, Mr. Barker, you're real mean to go!” she pouted. “I guess I better be going,” Lemuel called back, in a voice so husky that he hardly knew it for his own. XII.