Silas Putnam, when I married ye forty-five year ago I promised to obey ye, ye was allus a good perwider and I don’t perpose to see yer want for nothin’, but ye have got to hold up yer right hand and swear to obey me for the rest of yer nateral life,’ and he did it.  He got well, and he is tougher’n a biled owl, if he is eighty-six.  But the cold sorter settled in his ears, and he’s deef as an adder.  Ef angel Gabriel blew his horn now I’m afeared Silas wouldn’t hear him.”

During this long story Quincy had listened without a smile on his face, but the manner in which the last remark was made was too much for him and he burst into a loud laugh.  Silas, who had been eying him, also gave a loud laugh and said with his ponderous voice, “I guess Heppy’s been tellin’ ye about my goin’ up.”

Quincy laughed again and Mrs. Putnam took part.  He arose, told Mr. and Mrs. Putnam he had enjoyed his visit very much, was very sorry Miss Putnam was not at home, and said he would call again, with their kind permission.

“Oh, drop in any time,” said Mrs. Putnam; “we’re allus to hum.  You seem to be a nice young man, but you’re too young to marry.  Why, Lindy’s twenty-eight, and I tell her she don’t know enough to get married yet.  Ef you’ll take a bit of advice from an old woman, let me say, ’less you mean to marry the girl yourself, you’d better git away from Deacon Mason’s.”

And with this parting shot ringing in his ears, he left the house and made his way homeward.

In half an hour after Quincy’s departure, Lindy Putnam entered the sitting-room and facing her mother said with a voice full of passion, “Samanthy says Mr. Sawyer called to see me.”

Mrs. Putnam answered, “Well, ef ye wanted to see him so much why didn’t ye stay to hum?”

Lindy continued, “Well, I have told you a dozen times that when people come to see me that you are not to invite them in.”

“Wall, I didn’t,” said Mrs. Putnam.  “When he found you wuz out he said he wanted to see pa and me, and he stayed here more’n an hour.”

“Yes,” said Lindy, “no doubt you told him all about pa’s turning Second Advent and how much money I had, and you have killed all my chances.”

“Well, I guess not,” said Mrs. Putnam.  “I told him about your brother leavin’ yer all his money, and I guess that won’t drive him away.”

Lindy continued, “Money don’t count with him; they say his father is worth more than a million dollars.”

Mrs. Putnam answered, “Wall, I s’pose there’s a dozen or so to divide it among.”

Lindy said, “Did you tell him who you were going to leave your money to?”

“No, I didn’t,” replied Mrs. Putnam.  “But I did tell him that you wouldn’t get a cent of it.”

Lindy sobbed, “I think it is a shame, mother.  I like him better than any young man I have ever met, and now after what you have told me I sha’n’t see him again.  I have a good mind to leave you for good and all and go to Boston to live.”