he needs is a little cheering
feminine society." [Hum: feminine society puts a higher estimate on its
own powers than I do, then.] "Clarice has returned. You know how
enterprising she is, not to say wilful, and how fond she is of you. She
has taken a fancy to try your retreat, and learn to catch trout." [She
has, eh? Well, let's get on with this.] "Jane will go with her, of
course: they start on Thursday. Secure rooms for them, and have a
vehicle to meet them."

Here was a nice situation. To make Mabel easy about me, I had enlarged
too much on the accommodations here; they are a long way from what she
supposes. I called the landlord. "Hodge, here are two ladies coming from
the city. Where can you put them?"

"Wall, I d'no, Square. Ain't much used to city gals. Hope they don't
bring no sarrytogys. There ain't nothin but your room, an mine, an old
Poll's, and the gerrit. Me and you might go out in the hayloft like, or
sleep on the pyazzer if the nights is warm."

While he was maundering on, the whole truth flashed upon me. Why can't
I see things at once, like Hartman? If I had his sharpness, and he my
slow common sense, there would be two men fit for this world's
uses--which neither of us appears to be, as the case stands. I had
rashly said too much about Jim and his attractions. Mabel is a born
manager and matchmaker--can't endure to see an eligible man uncaught.
She has put the girls up to this game: 'cheering feminine society,'
indeed! My sister Jane is a sensible woman enough, and not much younger
than I; but Clarice is a beauty with six years' experience, and
irresistible, some think. 'Enterprising'--well, I should say so: cheeky,
you might call it. Women do take such stunning liberties nowadays. My
wife would reprove me for slang; but weaker words fail to express the
fact, and my feelings about it. I might stand these girls coming up here
after me--Clarice is a sort of eighth cousin of Mabel's and looks on me
as a brother. But Jim--no. She must be pining for more worlds to
conquer, and it would just suit her book to bring a romantic hermit to
her feet. I should like well enough to see her try it, when I was not
responsible, but not under present circumstances. Great Caesar! Jim will
think I have put up this job on him, and never forgive me: nor would I,
in his place. This field is getting too thick with missionaries.--"Hodge,
it won't do. Harness your old nag, and drive me to the station. I must
telegraph. And w