belittlin' huhse'f. But 'stead o'
dat he mus' go a ta'in' off jes' ez soon ez de fus' wo'ds come outen
huh mouf. Put' nigh brekin' huh hea't. I clah to goodness, I nevah did
see sich ca'in's on."

Several weeks passed before Bartley returned to his home. Autumn was
painting the trees about the place before the necessity of being at
his father's side called him from his voluntary exile. And then he did
not go to see Mima. He was still bowed with shame at what he thought
his unmanly presumption, and he did not blame her that she avoided
him.

His attention was arrested one day about a week after his return by
the peculiar actions of Mammy Peggy. She hung around him, and watched
him, following him from place to place like a spaniel.

Finally he broke into a laugh and said, "Why, what's the matter, Aunt
Peggy, are you afraid I'm going to run away?"

"No, I ain' afeared o' dat," said mammy, meekly, "but I been had
somepn' to say to you dis long w'ile."

"Well, go ahead, I'm listening."

Mammy gulped and went on. "Ask huh ag'in," she said, "it were my fault
she tol' you no. I 'minded huh o' huh fambly pride an' tol' huh to
hol' you off less'n you'd t'ink she wan'ed to jump at you."

Bartley was on his feet in a minute.

"What does this mean," he cried. "Is it true, didn't I offend her?"

"No, you didn' 'fend huh. She's been pinin' fu' you, 'twell she's
growed right peekid."

"Sh, auntie, do you mean to tell me that Mim--Miss Harrison cares for
me?"

"You go an' ax huh ag'in."

Bartley needed no second invitation. He flew to the cottage. Mima's
heart gave a great throb when she saw him coming up the walk, and she
tried to harden herself against him. But her lips would twitch, and
her voice would tremble as she said, "How do you do, Mr. Northcope?"

He looked keenly into her eyes.

"Have I been mistaken, Mima," he said, "in believing that I greatly
offended you by asking you to be my wife? Do you--can you care for
me, darling?"

The words stuck in her throat, and he went on, "I thought you were
angry with me because I had taken advantage of your kindness to my
father, or presumed upon any kindness that you may have felt for me
out of respect to your brother's memory. Believe me, I was innocent of
any such intention."

"Oh, it wasn't--it wasn't that!" she gasped.

"Then won't you give me a different answer," he said, taking her hand.

"I can't, I can't," she cried.

"Why, Mima?" he asked.

"Because--