ott's point-blank question
was:

"Well, I dunno."

The words were hardly encouraging, but the tone was weakly compliant.
Bott felt that his cause was gained, and thought he might chaffer a
little.

"Of course," he said, "I would like to have a few things understood, to
start with. I am very particular in business matters."

"That's right," said Saul, who began to think that this was a very
systematic and methodical man.

"I am able to support a wife, or I would not ask for one," said Bott.

"Exactly," said Saul, with effusion; "that's just what I was saying to
myself."

"Oh, you was!" said Bott, scowling and hesitating. "You was, was you?"
Then, after a moment's pause, in which he eyed Saul attentively, he
continued, "Well--that's so. At the same time, I am a business man, and
I want to know what you can do for your girl."

"Not much of anything, Mr. Bott, if you must know. Mattie is makin' her
own living."

"Yes. That's all right. Does she pay you for her board?"

"Look here, Mr. Bott, that ain't none of your business yet, anyhow. She
don't pay no board while she stays here; but that ain't nobody's
business."

"Oh, no offence, sir, none in the world. Only I am a business man, and
don't want misunderstandings. So she don't. And I suppose you don't
want to part with your last child--now, do you? It's like breaking your
heart-strings, now, ain't it?" he said, in his most sentimental lecture
voice.

"Well, no, I can't say it is. Mattie's welcome in my house while I
live, but of course she'll leave me some day, and I'll wish her joy."

"Why should that be? My dear sir, why should that be?" Bott's voice
grew greasy with sweetness and persuasion. "Why not all live together?
I will be to you as a son. Maud will soothe your declining years. Let
it be as it is, Father Saul."

The old carpenter looked up with a keen twinkle of his eye.

"You and your wife would like to board with us when you are married?
Well, mebbe we can arrange that."

This was not quite what Bott expected, but he thought best to say no
more on that subject for the moment.

Saul then asked the question that had all along been hovering on his
lips.

"Have you spoke to Mattie yet?"

The seer blushed and simpered, "I thought it my duty to speak first to
you; but I do not doubt her heart."

"Oh! you don't," said Saul, with a world of meaning. "You better find
out. You'll find her in the house."

Bott went to the house, leaving Saul po