But, as has been
intimated, it seemed to her droll indeed that such a great
stalwart fellow should appear panic-stricken in her diminutive
presence. In brief, he had been timidity embodied under her
demurely mischievous blue eyes; and now that the recruiting
officer had come and marched away with his squad without him, she
felt incensed that such a chicken-hearted fellow had dared to lift
his eyes to her.
"It would go hard with the Widow Jarvis and all those children if
Zeb 'listed," Susie's mother had ventured in half-hearted defence,
for did she not look upon him as a promising suitor.
"The people of Opinquake wouldn't let the widow or the children
starve," replied Susie, indignantly. "If I was a big fellow like
him, my country would not call me twice. Think how grandfather
left grandma and all the children!"
"Well, I guess Zeb thinks he has his hands full wrastling with
that stony farm."
"He needn't come to see me any more, or steal glances at me 'tween
meetings on Sunday," said the girl, decisively. "He cuts a sorry
figure beside Zeke Watkins, who was the first to give in his name,
and who began to march like a soldier even before he left us.
Pages:
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431