'Well, Dimpey, I'll come over to your house to-morrow night; I guess you'll go; good evening,' and away he galloped.
'_Guess_ you'll go, indeed!' said Polly Jane, as soon as he was out of hearing. 'I guess she won't go with _you_, Mr. Impudence! You're not going to make a fool of our Dimpey, and break her neck besides, not if her father knows it, _I_ can tell you.'
It isn't often that Polly Jane speaks out so spunky, but I expect she was vexed because he didn't answer her; as for me, I could have cried to think that things happened so, and I felt almost angry with poor Widow Burt for being sick, and taking me away from home that evening. It was awful wicked, but I was well punished for it afterward.
'It's _too_ bad in you to talk so, Polly,' said I, 'as if I was a child six years old! I wonder _why_ it's impudent in Ned to ask me to ride with him; you wouldn't say so if it was any one else; but you hate poor Ned--you know you do,' and here I broke down and really cried; but they were spiteful tears, after all.
'There, now, Dimpey,' said Polly Jane--she was over _her_ pet in a minute--'don't feel bad; I didn't mean to be cross to Ned; but he has such a bold way of talking, as if he thought nobody could refuse _him_, that he always makes me angry, and I can't help it. But you _shall_ go to the picnic, dear, whether he takes you or not; there will be plenty glad to ask you; so kiss me, Dimpey, and I won't tease you again.'
I let her kiss me, and then walked on sullen enough till we came to Mrs. Burt's. The house was a forlorn old place, with only one room and a bedroom, and a garret next the roof, where Jim slept. The door of the living room opened out into a shed, where Mrs. Burt did her work in summer time. The trees grew close up to the shed, and the well was under it; and as we came up, who should I see but Race Miller, drawing a bucket of water to fill the teakettle, while Jim kindled a fire in the stove. There _did_ seem to be no end of vexations that day, and I wished myself a hundred miles off.
'Why, Polly Jane! is that you? I didn't think of seeing you down here to-night--and Dimpey, too! We heard that Mrs. Burt was very sick, and mother had tea early, and we came over to see how the poor soul was.'