'You two are engaged.' "They looked at him as if he'd done somethin' wonderful.

'But, Uncle,' says Gus, shakin' hands again, 'just think! she's actually consented to marry me.' "'Well, that's gen'rally understood to be a part of engagin', ain't it ?' says Nate.

'I'm glad to hear it.

Miss Dixland, I congratulate you.
You've got a fine, promisin' young man.' "That, to Nate's notion, was about the biggest lie he ever told, but Olivia swallered it for gospel.

She seemed to thaw toward Scudder a little mite, but 'twa'n't at a permanent melt, by no means.
"'Thank you, Mr.Scudder,' says she, still pretty frosty.