I'd rather she wouldn't; she might bust a blood vessel or somethin'.

Such things HAVE happened, to extry smart young ones.

You just let her trot along home with me now and--" "Cap'n Whittaker," Miss Dawes had risen to her feet with a determined expression on her face.
"Yes, ma'am," said the captain, rising also.
"Cap'n Whittaker," repeated the teacher, "I'm very glad that you called.
I've been rather expecting you might, because of certain things I have heard." "You heard?
What was it you heard--if you don't mind my askin' ?" "No, I don't, because I think we must have an understanding about Emily.
I have heard that you allow her to do as she pleases at home; in other words, that you are spoiling her, and--" "SPOILIN' her! _I_ spoilin' her?
Who told you such an unlikely yarn as that?
I ain't the kind to spoil anybody.

Why, I'm so strict that I'm ashamed of myself sometimes." He honestly believed he was.

Miss Phoebe calmly continued.
"Of course, what you do at home is none of my business.