but I figured it was some better than bein' chased off the place.
So I stepped indo's, stood my rifle in a corner and hung up my
cap. He was watchin' me and presently he drawled out, 'Make
yo'self perfectly at home, stranger.'

"I says, 'Squire'--he wa'n't a squire, but they called him that
--I says, 'Squire, my name's Cavendish. Let's get acquainted
quick. I'm here fo' to co'te yo' Polly. I seen her on the road
a spell back and I couldn't be better suited.'

"He says, 'You had ought to be kivered up in salt, young man,
else yo'll spile in this climate.'

"I says, 'I'll keep in any climate.'

'He says, 'Polly ain't givin' her thoughts much to marryin',
she's busy keepin' house fo' her pore old father.'

"I says, 'I've come here special fo' to arouse them thoughts you
mention. If I seem slow '

"He says, 'You don't. If this is yo' idea of bein' slow, I'd
wish to avoid you when you was in a hurry.'

"I says, 'Put in yo' spare moments thinkin' up a suitable
blessin' fo' us.'

"He says, 'You'll have yo' hands full. There's a number of young
fellows hereabouts that you don't lay it over none in p'int of
freshness or looks.'