ble when I came
down to poke up the fire and set the kettle on. There wasn't no name on
it, so 'twan't till I'd read it clear through that I knew 'twas for Miss
Martha. It said: 'Have gone to Boston to see--er--what's-his-name and
Somebody-else and--' Never mind, Bancroft's all I remember, anyhow. But
it said you'd gone to them folks to see about 'stock matter.' Well, then
I knew 'twas for Miss Martha. _I_ didn't have no stock matters for folks
to see about. My savin' soul, no! And then you said, 'Hope to settle
everything and have good news when I come back.' I remember THAT all
right.... Oh, Mr. Bangs, have you settled it? HAVE you got good news for
her?"

By this time she had forgotten all about the request to speak in a low
tone. Galusha glanced fearfully at the open door behind her.

"Sshh! shh, Primmie," he begged.

"But have you? Have you, Mr. Bangs?"

"Why--why, perhaps, Primmie. I mean--that is to say--"

He stopped. Miss Phipps was standing in the doorway.

"Why, Mr. Bangs!" she exclaimed. "Are you here so soon? I didn't expect
you till to-night. What are you standin' out there in the cold for? Come
in, come in!"

And then Primmie, to make use of the expressive idiom of her friend, the
driver of the grocery cart, Primmie "spilled the beans." She turned, saw
her mistress, and ran toward her, waving both hands.

"Oh, Miss Martha!" she cried, "he--he's done it. He says it's all right.
He does! he does!"

"Primmie!"

"He says he's been to them--them Bancroft what's-his-name folks and he's
got the good news for you. Oh, ain't it elegant! Ain't it!"

This wild perversion of his guarded statement took Galusha completely
by surprise. He started forward aghast. And then he saw Martha Phipps'
face. Upon it were written such hope and relief and joy that the words
of expostulation and protest remained unspoken. And it was Martha who
spoke first.

"Oh, Mr. Bangs!" she gasped. "Oh, Mr. Bangs!"

Galusha's chin quivered. His face became very red.

"Why--why--why, Miss Martha, I--I--"

His agitation caused his teeth actually to chatter. Martha noticed the
chatter and misinterpreted the cause.

"Mercy me!" she cried. "You're standin' out there and freezin' to death.
Of course you are. Come right in! Primmie, open those stove dampers.
Put the kettle on front where it will boil quick.... No, Mr. Bangs, you
mustn't tell me a word until you're warm and rested. You would like to
go to your room, wouldn't you? Ce