s to consider as a possibility, even if I wished it, which
I distinctly did not. But something, an interview, awkward and
disagreeable for both sides, or a patronizing note of thanks, was, at
the very least, certain to follow the happenings of the previous night.
I wished I had gone home when the Coltons first came to the festival.
I wished I had not promised Taylor that I would attend that festival.
I wished--I wished a great many things. The thought of young Carver's
public snubbing before his friends was my one unmixed satisfaction. I
rather imagined that he was more uncomfortable than I was or could be.

Lute crowed vaingloriously over his own good judgment in leaving for
home early.

"I don't know how 'twas," he declared. "Somethin' seemed to tell me we
was in for a turrible tempest. I was settin' talkin' with Alvin Baker
and eatin' my second sasser of berries, when--"

"SECOND sasser?" interrupted Dorinda, sharply. "Where'd you get money
for two sassers? I gave you thirty cents when you started for that
festival. It cost you fifteen to get inside the gate, and Matildy Dean
told me the church folks was cal'latin' to charge fifteen for a helpin'
of berries and cream. And you had two sassers, you say. Who paid for the
second one?"

Her husband swallowed half a cup of coffee before replying. Then his
reply had nothing to do with the question.

"I don't know how 'twas," he went on. "I just had the feelin', that's
all. Sort of a present--presentuary, I guess, come over me. I looked up
at the sky and 'twas gettin' black, and then I looked to the west-ard
and I see a flash of lightnin'. 'Nothin' but heat lightnin',' says
Alvin. 'Heat lightnin' nothin'!' says I, 'I tell you--"

"Who paid for that second sasser of berries?" repeated his wife,
relentlessly.

"Why now, Dorindy--"

"Who paid for 'em? If 'twas Alvin Baker you ought to be ashamed of
yourself, spongin' on him for your vittles."

"Alvin! Good land! did you ever know him to pay for anything he didn't
have to?"

"Never mind what I know. Did you get trusted for 'em? How many times
have I told you--"

"I never got trusted. I ain't that kind. And I didn't sponge 'em,
neither. I paid cash, right out of my own pocket, like a man."

"You did! Um-hm. I want to know! Well then--MAN, where did the cash in
that pocket come from?"

Lute squirmed. "I--I--" he stammered.

"Where did it come from? Answer me."

"Well--well, Dorindy, you see--when you sent me up