Wesley Millirons, that Loorany was perfectly crazy about Hildreth of Hall, but a good many, impressed by Mrs. Pruett's prejudice against the young man, had their doubts as to whether he was crazy about Loorany. On the other hand, there were just as many, including the majority of the young people, who were certain, as they said, that Hildreth of Hall loved Loorany Parmalee every bit and grain as hard as Loorany loved him. Between the two friendly factions you could hear all the facts in regard to the case and still never get at the rights of it.
Once Mrs. Pruett took John Wesley to task in a kindly fashion. "I never know'd you was so clever, John Wesley, tell I seed you give the road to Hild'eth o' Hall—an' Loorany a-standin' right spang in the middle watin' to see which un 'ud git to 'er fust. Oh, yes, John Wesley, you er e'en about the cleverest feller in the worl'."
"How come, Mis Pruett?" he inquired blandly.
"Why, bekaze you was so quick to give way to that chap from below."
"Shucks! that feller hain't a-botherin' me," exclaimed John Wesley.
