Although a little
courtly in manner, he was so kindly and frank in nature that
his superiority was not at all oppressive, and with true Southern
bonhomie he made the farmer's family quite at ease, leading them
to speak freely of their rural affairs. Susan soon lost all sense
of restraint and began to banter her brother.
"You must have had a very affecting time in making up with Amelia
Stone to have stayed out so late," she remarked sotto voce.
"I've not seen Amelia Stone since the evening she was here," he
answered dryly.
"Indeed! what other charmer then tied you to her apron-strings so
tightly? You are very fickle."
"Now you've hit it," he answered, with a slight flush. "I was so
undecided that I drove by every door, and was not tied at all."
Belle "made eyes" at Mildred, as much as to say, "It's you who are
distracting him."
"Next time," Sue continued, "I think it would be well to make up
your mind before Sunday morning."
"My mind is made up," replied Roger--Belle looked at Mildred with
an expression of horror, to her intense annoyance--"I shall trouble
no one," he added, quietly.
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