"You see them hawgs," said Mr. Sam with squeaking enthusiasm, "and you see the best there is. Take 'em for looks, or heft, or eatin', there's no hawgs can touch 'em in this county. I'll go further and say State. They're a _lovely_ hawg, sir! that's what they are; lovely!" "All black, be they?" asked Calvin, for the sake of saying something. "All black!" said Mr. Sam. "I bought 'em off'n Reuben Hutch. They was Cousin's choice in the fust place. She likes 'em black; says they look cleaner, and I guess they do. I don't know as you've remarked it, Cal, but I think a sight of Cousin." He cast a sly glance at Calvin, who again returned inward thanks for the solid brown of his cheeks. "I should s'pose you might!" he said shortly. "A sight!" repeated Mr. Sam emphatically. "You show me a smarter woman than that, Calvin Parks, and I'll show you a toad with three tails." He paused, as if waiting for Calvin to avail himself of this handsome offer. "Well!" said Calvin, rather morosely. "I ain't got no smarter woman to show. What are you drivin' at, Sam Sill?" Mr. Sam's little eyes were twinkling, and his sharp features were twisting themselves into knots which were anything but becoming. "Calvin," he said, "when I look at that young woman--at least not exactly young, but a sight younger than some, and all the better for it--what word do you think I use to myself?" "I don't know!" said Calvin shortly. Mr. Sam leaned back, and expanded his red flannel waistcoat. "Take time, Cal!" he said kindly. "Find a good solid-soundin' word suitable to the occasion, and spit it out!" "Look at here!" said Calvin, still more shortly. "I come out here to see your hogs, and I've seen 'em. I didn't come out to play guessin' games; if you've got anything to say to me, say it! If not, I'm goin' home." Mr. Sam leaned forward, and poked Calvin in the ribs with a skinny forefinger. "Matrimony's the word, Cal!" he said. "Holy matrimony! Ain't that a good word? ain't it suitable? ain't it what you might call providential? ain't it? hey?" He paused for a reply; but none coming, he went on. "I made use of that word, Calvin, the fust time Cousin stepped across our thrishhold, four months back; and I've ben makin' use of it every day since then. Now, Cal, I want you to help me!" "Help you!" repeated Calvin, mechanically. "Help me!" repeated Mr. Sam. "If you can help me to bring about matrimony between Cousin and Simeon,--" "_What_!" said Calvin Parks. Mr. Sam stared. "Between Cousin and Simeon!" he repeated. "What did you think I said? You could be of assistance to me, Calvin. You know Sim and me ain't havin' any dealin's jest at present, and direckly you come along I says to myself, 'Calvin,' I says, 'is the one who can be of assistance to me.'" "I thought 'twas you was goin' to marry her!" said Calvin grimly.