I came
and looked in at your kitchen out of impertinent curiosity,
and just for fun I thought I'd come in and get your tea.
I thought you'd be so surprised--and I meant to go before you
came home, of course."
"I wouldn't have been surprised," said Peter, shaking hands.
"I saw you go past the field and I tied the horses and followed you
down through the woods. I've been sitting on the fence back yonder,
watching your comings and goings." "Why didn't you come and speak
to me at church yesterday, Peter?" demanded Nancy boldly.
"I was afraid I would say something ungrammatical,"
answered Peter drily.
The crimson flamed over Nancy's face again. She pulled her hand away.
"That's cruel of you, Peter."
Peter suddenly laughed. There was a note of boyishness in the laughter.
"So it is," he said, "but I had to get rid of the accumulated
malice and spite of twenty years somehow. It's all gone now,
and I'll be as amiable as I know how. But since you have gone
to the trouble of getting my supper for me, Nancy, you must
stay and help me eat it. Them strawberries look good.
I haven't had any this summer--been too busy to pick them."
Nancy stayed. She sat at the head of Peter's table and poured
his tea for him.
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