“I am afraid I shall astonish you still more at the table.  I am simply ravenous.”

“This is your chance,” cried Sue.  “You are now to be paid in the coin you asked for.”

Sue did remark to herself by the time they reached dessert and coffee, “I need have no scruples in refusing a man with such an appetite; he won’t pine.  He is a lawyer, sure enough.  He is just winning father and mother hand over hand.”

Indeed, the bosom of good Mrs. Banning must have been environed with steel not to have had throbs of goodwill toward one who showed such hearty appreciation of her capital dinner.  But Sue became only the more resolved that she was not going to yield so readily to this muscular suitor who was digging and eating his way straight into the hearts of her ancestors, and she proposed to be unusually elusive and alert during the afternoon.  She was a little surprised when he resumed his old tactics.

After drinking a second cup of coffee, he rose, and said, “As an honest man, I have still a great deal to do after such a dinner.”

“Well, it has just done me good to see you,” said Mrs. Banning, smiling genially over her old-fashioned coffee-pot.  “I feel highly complimented.”

“I doubt whether I shall be equal to another such compliment before the next birthday.  I hope, Miss Susie, you have observed my efforts to do honor to the occasion?”

“Oh,” cried the girl, “I naturally supposed you were trying to get even in your bargain.”

“I hope to be about sundown.  I’ll get into those overalls at once, and I trust you will put on your walking-suit.”

“Yes, it will be a walking-suit for a short time.  We must walk to the wood-lot for the trees, unless you prefer to ride.—­Father, please tell Hiram to get the two-horse wagon ready.”

When the old people were left alone, the farmer said, “Well, mother, Sue has got a suitor, and if he don’t suit her—­” And then his wit gave out.

“There, father, I never thought you’d come to that.  It’s well she has, for you will soon have to be taken care of.”

“He’s got the muscle to do it.  He shall have my law-business, anyway.”

“Thank the Lord, it isn’t much; but that’s not saying he shall have Sue.”

“Why, what have you against him?”

“Nothing so far.  I was only finding out if you had anything against him.”

“Lawyers, indeed!  What would become of the men if women turned lawyers.  Do you think Sue—­”

“Hush!”

They all laughed till the tears came when Minturn again appeared dressed for work; but he nonchalantly lighted a cigar and was entirely at his ease.