Old Ebenezer. Opie Percival Read

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СКАЧАТЬ but how could you presume, even in fun, to stand up with her? How is she?" he demanded, turning toward a woman who had just come from a room whither they had taken the "bride."

      "Oh, she is all right. She was more scared than hurt."

      He gave her a look of contempt, as if he had been hit with a sarcasm; and then he addressed himself to Lyman. "I ask, sir, how you could presume to stand up with her?"

      "Well, I was told that I had to."

      "And you were willing enough, no doubt."

      "I didn't hang back very much; they didn't have to tear my clothes."

      "But I wish they had torn your flesh, as you have torn mine. Who ever knew of so disgraceful and ridiculous a situation? It beats anything I ever heard of."

      "But it can be made all right," said old man Staggs. "Nobody's hurt."

      "We can get a divorce," Zeb Sawyer suggested.

      "Yes," said Lyman, "but our friends, the populists, have enacted rather peculiar divorce laws. And without some vital cause, the application must be signed by both parties. It's in the nature of a petition."

      "Well, that can be arranged," McElwin declared, with a sigh. "Annie, is Eva better?"

      "Yes, sir."

      "Thank you. And you must pardon me for talking to you as I did just now, for I was never so upset in my life. Cousin Jasper, I wish you would have my carriage ordered. Annie, tell Mrs. McElwin that we will go home at once. Mr. Lyman, let me see you a moment in private."

      Lyman followed him out upon the veranda. He had not analyzed his own feelings, but he was conscious of a strange victory.

      "Mr. Lyman, you came to me and wanted to borrow a hundred dollars."

      "Yes, sir."

      "Well, I can let you have it."

      "No, I thank you."

      "What, you don't want it?"

      "Well, it wouldn't look exactly right for a rich man's son-in-law to borrow money so soon after marriage."

      "Confound your impudence, sir—I beg your pardon."

      "I thank you," said Lyman.

      "You thank me? What for?"

      "For begging my pardon."

      "Come, that is all nonsense, Mr. Lyman. Tell my wife that I'll be ready in a moment," he shouted with his head thrust in at the door. "The most absurd of nonsense," he said, turning back to Lyman. "It will raise a horse laugh throughout the county, and will then be dismissed as a good joke on me. Yes, sir, on me. And now will you agree to conform to the requirements of that ridiculous legislature, and sign the petition to the court?"

      "I haven't been informed that the legislature requires me to sign any petition. And I have no favors to ask of the court."

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