Didn't like to hurry me, Reuben? how hurry me? I don't know what you
mean," said Hannah, raising her eyes in astonishment.

"Why, I didn't know as you'd like to get ready so soon; or, indeed,
whether the lad was able to bear the journey yet," said Reuben calmly
and reflectively.

"Reuben, I haven't the least idea of your meaning."

"Why, law, Hannah, my dear, it seems to me it is plain enough; no woman
likes to be hurried at such times, and I thought you wouldn't like to be
neither; I thought you would like a little time to get up some little
finery; and also the boy would be the better for more rest before taking
of a long journey; but hows'ever, Hannah, if you don't think all these
delays necessary, why I wouldn't be the man to be a-making of them.
Because, to tell you the truth, considering the shortness of life, I
think the delays have been long enough; and considering our age, I
think we have precious little time to lose. I'm fifty-one years of age,
Hannah; and you be getting on smart towards forty-four; and if we ever
mean to marry in this world, I think it is about time, my dear."

"Reuben Gray, is that what you mean?"

"Sartin, Hannah! You didn't think I was a-going away again without you,
did you now?"

"And so that was what you meant, was it?"

"That was what I meant, and that was what I still mean, Hannah, my
dear."

"Then you must be a natural fool!" burst forth Hannah.

"Now stop o' that, my dear! 'taint a bit of use! all them hard words
might o' fooled me years and years agone, when you kept me at such a
distance that I had no chance of reading your natur'; but they can't
fool me now, as I have been six weeks in constant sarvice here, Hannah,
and obsarving of you close. Once they might have made me think you hated
me; but now nothing you can say will make me believe but what you like
old Reuben to-day just as well as you liked young Reuben that day we
first fell in love long o' one another at the harvest home. And as for
me, Hannah, the Lord knows I have never changed towards you. We always
liked each other, Hannah, and we like each other still. So don't try to
deceive yourself about it, for you can't deceive me!"

"Reuben Gray, why do you talk so to me?"

"Because it is right, dear."

"I gave you your answer years ago."

"I know you did, Hannah; because there were sartain circumstances, as
you chose to elewate into obstacles against our marriage; but now,
Hannah, all these obstacles are re