“Can you deny,” intoned Miss Cottle strongly, “that the subject of your attentions to me was brought up and discussed in Hewett’s grocery store less than a week ago?” “I said it wa’n’t so, ma’am; I told ’em the’ wa’n’t nothin’ in it.” “_You_ told them, Peleg Morrison? _You_ denied that you intended to marry me? How could you?” “W’y, ma’am, you know——” “You should, at least, have afforded _me_ the opportunity of denying the report—if it was to be denied.” Miss Cottle buried her face in her hands. “I supposed,” she went on, in a smothered voice, “that you had more regard for the sacred feelings of a good woman. I thought, Peleg, you—cared—a little—for me.” “Oh, my! Gosh—goll—durn—what—in—thunder——” Miss Cottle’s strong, determined hand shot out and fastened tentacle-like upon the unfortunate Peleg’s sleeve. “I shall leave this very day—_never_ to return,” she said, in a hollow voice, “unless you and I come to an understanding. I cannot endure it longer.” “O Lord!” exclaimed Peg prayerfully. “I _love_ that _dear_ little boy as if he was my _own_,” pursued Miss Cottle sentimentally, “and I _feel_ that my _duty_ calls me to remain and care for him; but——” “I reelly hope you won’t go on my ’count, ma’am,” faltered Peg, moved by these protestations and once more mindful of Barbara’s exhortations. “_Peleg!_” exclaimed Miss Cottle beatifically, and instantly relaxed upon his shoulder. “Say, ma’am! You know—reelly, I——” “I am _so_ happy, Peleg!” gurgled the spinster. “Wall, I ain’t; I——” “I knew you would understand my feelings.” “But I don’t, ma’am. Kindly set down, an’——” “I shall remain _now_ and do my duty with a _light heart_. I feel that the arrangement will be _much better_ for _all_ concerned, and I can make you _so_ comfortable, Peleg. You need half a dozen new shirts, and shall I confess it? I have them nearly completed already.” Mr. Morrison, looking wildly about for a means of escape, caught sight of Jimmy running past the door, a brace of puppies frolicking at his heels. “Hello, thar, Cap’n!” he called, “don’t you want t’ step in here an’——” “The _dear_ child,” murmured Miss Cottle, wiping her eyes on her apron. “He shall be the first to share our happiness. I am going to be married to your kind old friend here, James; aren’t you _glad_, my boy?” Jimmy gazed doubtfully at the pair from under puckered brows. “Married?” he echoed. “What for?” “Say, Cap’n, you’ve struck the nail on the head, es usual!” cried Peg, regaining his composure with an effort. “I guess the lady don’t altogether know her own mind. She was kind o’ calc’latin’ on bein’ married t’ me. But she’s thought better of it b’ now, an’ I’m bearin’ up es well es I kin under the circumstances. The’ ain’t goin’t’ be no weddin’. No, sir! She’s changed her mind sence she come in here. D’ye hear, ma’am? You couldn’t put up with ol’ Peg Morrison. Y’ tried to, f’om a strict sense o’ duty; but y’ reelly couldn’t do it.”