“I tell ye it ain’t,” said Silas.  “There ain’t but twenty-three.  It’s bad enough to be payin’ twice what they’re wuth for eggs, without havin’ of ’em come short.”

“I tell you I counted ’em twice over, and they’re all right.  You keep still, father,” said William’s voice at his ear, in a fierce whisper, and Silas subsided into sullen mutterings.

William had meditated following Rebecca to the door; he had even meditated going farther; but now he stood back behind the counter, and began packing up some boxes with a busy air.

“Ain’t you going a piece with Rebecca, and carry her basket, William?” Rose called back, when the two girls reached the door.

Rebecca clutched her arm.  “Oh, don’t,” she gasped, and Rose giggled.

“Ain’t you, William?” she said again.

Rebecca hurried out the door, but she heard William reply coldly that he couldn’t, he was too busy.  She was half crying when Rose caught up with her.

“William wanted to go bad enough, but he was too upset by what father said.  You mustn’t mind father,” Rose said, peering around into Rebecca’s bonnet.  “Why, Rebecca, what is the matter?”

“I didn’t go into that store a step to see William Berry.  You know I didn’t,” Rebecca cried out, with sudden passion.  Her voice was hoarse with tears; her face was all hot and quivering with shame and anger.

“Why, of course you didn’t,” Rose returned, in a bewildered way.  “Who said you did, Rebecca?”

“You know I didn’t.  I hated to go to the store this morning.  I told mother I didn’t want to, but she didn’t have a mite of sugar in the house, and there wasn’t anybody else to send.  Ephraim ain’t very well, and Doctor Whiting says he ought not to walk very far.  I had to come, but I didn’t come to see William Berry, and nobody has any call to think I did.”

“I don’t know who said you did.  I don’t know what you mean, Rebecca.”

“You acted as if you thought so.  I don’t want William Berry seeing me home in broad daylight, when I’ve been to the store to trade, and you needn’t think that’s what I came for, and he needn’t.”

“Good land, Rebecca Thayer, he didn’t, and I was just in fun.  He’d have come with you, but he was so mad at what father said that he backed out.  William’s just about as easy upset as you are.  I didn’t mean any harm.  Say, Rebecca, come into the house a little while, can’t you?  I don’t believe your mother is in any great hurry for the sugar.”  Rose took hold of Rebecca’s arm, but Rebecca jerked herself away with a sob, and went down the road almost on a run.

“Well, I hope you’re touchy enough, Rebecca Thayer,” Rose called out, as she stood looking after her.  “Folks will begin to think you did come to see William if you make such a fuss when nobody accuses you of it, if you don’t look out.”