But he would fight her.
"Me like to see it!" exclaimed the old woman.

"What should I like to see her make a fool of herself for ?" "I've seen people look bigger fools," he said.

Clara was under his protection now.
"Oh, ay! and when was that ?" came the sarcastic rejoinder.
"When they made frights of themselves," he answered.
Mrs.Radford, large and threatening, stood suspended on the hearthrug, holding her fork.
"They're fools either road," she answered at length, turning to the Dutch oven.
"No," he said, fighting stoutly.

"Folk ought to look as well as they can." "And do you call THAT looking nice!" cried the mother, pointing a scornful fork at Clara.

"That--that looks as if it wasn't properly dressed!" "I believe you're jealous that you can't swank as well," he said laughing.
"Me! I could have worn evening dress with anybody, if I'd wanted to!" came the scornful answer.
"And why didn't you want to ?" he asked pertinently.