ow I told you that all the large boys were at work?
Wait until I get the jar of butter and I'll go to the house with you."

"Let me get it for you," I replied, turning back with her.

"You can't get it," she said, laughing; "you'll fall into the spring.
But, then, you might hold it as a remembrance to temper the severity of
the ducking yet to come."

"Miss Guinea," I made bold to say, standing at the door of the
spring-house, "do you know that you talk with exceeding readiness?"

"Oh, do you mean that I am always ready to talk? I didn't think that of
you."

I reached out and took the jar from her. "You know I didn't mean that,"
I said; and, looking up, with her eyes full of mischief, she asked:
"What did you mean, then?"

"I mean that you talk easily and brightly--like a book."

"You'd better let me have the jar," she said, holding out her hands.
"I'm afraid that you'll fall and break it, after that. You know that a
man is never so likely to slip as he is when he's trying to compliment a
woman."

"No, I don't know that, but I do know that a Southern woman ought to
know the difference between flattery and a real compliment."

"Why a Southern woman?" she asked. She looked to me as if she were
really in earnest and I strove to answer her earnestly.

"Because Southern women are not given to flirting; because they place
more reliance in what a man says, and----"

"I think you've got yourself tangled up," she said, laughing at me, and
I could but acknowledge that I had; and then it was, in the sweetest of
tones, that she said: "But if I had thought you really were tangled I
would not have spoken of it. Now tell me what you were going to say, and
I promise to listen like a mouse in a corner."

"No, I'm afraid to attempt it again." I was in advance of her, for the
path was narrow and the dew was now gathering on the grass, but she shot
past me, and, looking back, said beseechingly: "Won't you, please?" The
sun was long since down and the twilight was darkening, but I could see
the eagerness on her face. "Do, please, for I like to hear such things.
I'm nothing but the simplest sort of a girl, as easy to amuse as a
child, and you must remember that you are a great big man, from out in
the world."

"Come on with that butter!" the old man shouted, and with a laugh the
girl ran away from me. I wondered whether she were playing with me, but
I could not believe that she was. In those eyes there might be mischief,
but t