But there were more tears; and
Jasper stormed at a dog and shook the wagon wheel to satisfy himself
that it was sound. The driver, as lank a lout as ever slept in a stable,
sat upon a board seat, stuffing his greedy mouth with ginger cake. He
took up the lines and clucked to the horses, but it was discovered that
something more remained to be said and he was commanded to wait.

"Jest hold on a minit till I git sorter uster the idee," said Margaret.
"I want to say somethin' an' I don't know what."

Old Jasper put his arm about her. "It's in the way of nature, my dear,"
he said and upon his shoulder she wept, the wagon waiting, the driver
munching; and on the fence and in the trees the birds that had been
wedding guests were singing, having come down from the vine-knob to
carrol them a good-bye. At last there was nothing more to be said and
the driver popped his hickory bark whip and the wagon rolled away.
Jasper went into the house and sat down, deep in thought, but for a long
time Margaret stood at the gate, and the old man saw her sobbing in her
apron. She came into the room when no longer could she hear the wagon
rattling over the stones, high up the hill, and he said to her: "In the
way of nature, my dear, and you mustn't grieve. I count her a very lucky
girl. That young feller will make her a good livin' and--"

"Well," Margaret broke in, "she deserves it. You talk as if he wan't
lucky too. But I jest want to tell you he is and you needn't say he
ain't. You ought to be ashamed of yo'se'f to belittle yo' own daughter
thatter way. Well, I never. Never did I expect to see the day when you'd
say yo' child wan't worthy of a young man, even if he is a jedge's son."

"Air you about through?"

"Oh, don't talk to me. I'm out of all patience with you. Great goodness
alive, is it all to his credit that he is a jedge's son? You talk like
if she hadn't found him nobody else would a had her. And thar ain't a
puttier girl in all this here section, although she hain't got as many
clothes as she ought to have, a goin' a way off on a bridal tower."

"Gittin' putty nigh the eend."

"Laws a massy. Time was when I never dreamed that you'd slander yo' own
kith an' kin. An' come right from yo' daughter's weddin' an' swopped
hosses with a preacher. It was a sin and a shame. I never was so
mortified in my life. And then at supper he prayed. Just think of it.
I'll bet anything he cheated you."

"Wall let us believe not. The next mor