"Me?" he said. "Oh,
I've knowed her a long time."
Jones was beginning to see the truth, to read the heart of this young
rascal. So it was over at the Hardy's that he spent so many hours!
"Oh, so that's it, is it? What's the matter? Does her father object?"
"Oh, no!" "Red" was quick to deny. "I stand all right with him. He's knowed
me a long time. It's her."
Gilbert laughed outright; and "Red," humanly embarrassed now that his
secret was out, paced the room, his hands behind his back, digging his heel
every now and then in the floor. "Aw--" he began.
"Listen, 'Red,'" said Jones, in sympathy with the lad, and hoping to cover
up his confusion. "If Hardy comes, keep him out till I'm alone. I don't
want any war talk before the Pells."
"I get yer," said "Red," visibly relieved.
"Any stronger cord on the place anywhere?" Gilbert looked around the room.
Maybe one of the many Indian jugs contained a string. "Red" and he had a
habit of putting any old thing in them.
"There's some down in the hay barn. Want me to get it for you?" "Red"
offered.
"No; I'll get it, thanks. You see if you can't prod up the cook a little.
I'm hungry now."
And "Red" ran into the kitchen.
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