"Jist about as much as I did out in the river, with water up to me chin, clingin’ to the ice with me fingernails, an’ yellin’ blue-murder. I hadn’t any idea the water was so deep where I went in. Gee whiz! It was easy to go in, but mighty hard to git out. Mebbe that’ll be the way with you, Tildy, eh?"
"What, do you think I’ll want to keep this thing up, Abner? If you do, then you’re much mistaken. I’m sick of it already."
"That’s all right, Tildy. I know ye’ve got enough common sense not to want to be a society belle at ye’r time of life. But ye see, as Mrs. Ikey has invited you to her party, she’ll expect you to do somethin’ in return. Society, as I understand it, is jist ordinary trade. Ye don’t git things fer nuthin’. Mrs. Ikey invites you, then you must invite her, an’ that’s the way it goes. How does that strike ye, Tildy?"
Before Mrs. Andrews could reply, Belle and Jess entered the kitchen. Abner’s eyes brightened as he saw them, and he viewed them with critical eyes.
"My, my!" he exclaimed, "you two’ll cut a dash tonight fer sure. Why, all the young fellers in Glucom will be tumblin’ over one another."
"So long as they don’t tumble over us we won’t care," Belle laughingly replied. "We’re not out for conquests, are we, Jess?"
"I’m not, anyway," the latter declared. "I haven’t any time or inclination to bother with such things."
Abner’s eyes twinkled, and he turned to his wife.
"Guess it’s up to you, Tildy, to do the grand tonight. These gals don’t want any fellers. But there’s the car, so yez better hustle."
Abner accompanied the women to the road, and stood watching until the car had disappeared from view.
"Well, well," he mused, "to think of Tildy goin’ to a party at Mrs. Ikey Dimock’s, an’ in Mrs. Ikey’s ear, at that! What’s goin’ to happen next? Wonders’ll never cease."
Abner went back to the house, locked the door, and strolled over to Zeb’s. He wished to discuss his big idea with his neighbor, and learn what he thought about it. He remained for over an hour, and when he at length left he was much elated. Zeb had been more reasonable than usual, and had agreed that his idea was a good one, and worth trying.
Abner had been home but a short time when he heard a noise at the back door. Then children’s voices fell upon his ears, accompanied by a child’s cry. Wondering what it could mean, Abner threw open the door, and peered out. It was dark, but not dark enough to prevent his seeing two little figures standing before him.