Instead she asked: "Mr.Winslow, are you very busy this morning?
Is your work too important to spare me just a few minutes ?" Jed looked surprised; he smiled his one-sided smile.
"No, ma'am," he drawled.

"I've been pretty busy but 'twan't about anything important.

I presume likely," he added, "there ain't anybody in Ostable County that can be so busy as I can be doin' nothin' important." "And you can spare a few minutes?
I--I want to talk to you very much.

I won't be long, really." He regarded her intently.

Then he walked toward the door leading to the little workroom.