Jasper Hardy looked at Gilbert, "Well, now that's settled."
Uncle Henry butted in once more. "You won't let her?"
"Let her what?" A pair of steely eyes were fixed on the questioner.
"Marry him. Won't you?"
"Of course not. What are you talking about, you old fool?"
Uncle Henry was not to be outdone. He whisked around, facing the door, and
called at the top of his voice:
"Angely! Angely!"
From the yard came back, "Yes, I'm coming!" and Hardy's daughter ran in,
with "Red" at her heels.
"Did you call me?" she wanted to know, looking at all three.
"Yes; I did," said Uncle Henry. "I wanted to tell you that it ain't no use.
They won't neither of 'em do nothin'."
"Who won't?" asked Angela, mystified. She hadn't an idea what the old man
was talking about.
"The poor stiffs!" said Uncle Henry.
"Do what?" Angela pursued.
"I asked 'em!" the invalid whined.
The girl grew impatient. "For goodness' sake, asked them what?"
"To marry you, of course!"
Angela thought she must be dreaming.
"You--asked him--to marry me?" She looked about her, bewildered.
"Yes; and he turned you down!"
Surely now this must be a dream! "Red," too, was in a daze, suffering
vicariously for his adored one.
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