“When a man says he’s willin’,” said Mr. Barkis, turning his glance slowly on me again, “it’s as much as to say, that man’s a-waitin’ for a answer.”

“Well, Mr. Barkis?”

“Well,” said Mr. Barkis, carrying his eyes back to his horse’s ears; “that man’s been a-waitin’ for a answer ever since.”

“Have you told her so, Mr. Barkis?”

“No⁠—no,” growled Mr. Barkis, reflecting about it. “I ain’t got no call to go and tell her so. I never said six words to her myself, I ain’t a-goin’ to tell her so.”