"Mr. Cheeseman," he said, "I don't know what to say to you. There don't seem to be anything _to_ say that'll express what I feel--" "You might introduce me to this lady!" said the old man with a frosty twinkle. "Darn my hide!" cried Calvin Parks. "Somebody put me under the pump, will they? Mr. Ivory Cheeseman, let me make you acquainted with Mis' Calvin Parks as is to be! her present name is Ha--Sands!" "Miss Hassands," said Mr. Cheeseman with a magnificent bow, "I am pleased to meet you, I'm sure!" Mary became rather hysterical at this, and it was necessary for Calvin to soothe and quiet her; Mr. Cheeseman meanwhile inspected the harnesses critically, and expressed his opinion that they was a first-rate set out, and no mistake. While they were thus occupied, the barn door was suddenly flung open, and a thin, peevish voice cried, "Cousin! Cousin Mary! where in time have you got to?" The trio started and turned. In the doorway stood Mr. Simeon Sill, in carpet slippers and overcoat, the latter displaying a valance of flowered dressing-gown. A woollen shawl was tied over his head, and from it his eyes peered disconsolately. "Where have you got to?" he repeated querulously. "Breakfast time, and the kittle bilin' over, and no table set, and Sam'l waitin'--" At this moment he caught sight of the three conspirators, and stopped open-mouthed, his eyes goggling in his head. "Oh! Cousin Sim, you'll get cold!" cried Mary Sands, hastily smoothing her hair. "Do go back to the house! I'm comin' right in." "Mornin', Sim!" said Calvin Parks genially. "Come out to see the stock, have ye? I call that smart, now!" "Mr. Simeon Sill, I believe!" said Mr. Cheeseman with dignity. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir!" Mr. Sim looked from one to another, still gaping; and finally his gaze fixed itself sternly on Mary Sands. "I don't know what's goin' on in my barn," he said, "nor I don't know what dum foolishness you folks is up to; but I give you to understand that my brother Sam'l is waitin' for his med'cine!" THE END. End of Project Gutenberg's The Wooing of Calvin Parks, by Laura E. Richards