"
Wrapping up the pie and handing it to the delighted negro, La Fleur
proceeded to business, for she felt she had no time to lose.
"And how are you getting on, Michael?" said she. "I suppose everybody is
very busy preparing for the master's wedding."
"The what!" exclaimed Mike, his eyebrows elevating themselves to such a
degree that his hat rose.
"Mr. Haverley's marriage with Miss Dora Bannister. Isn't that to take
place very soon, Michael?"
Mike put his pie on the post of the barn gate, took off his hat, and
wiped his brow with his shirt-sleeve.
"Bless my evarlastin' soul, Mrs. Flower! who on this earth told
you that?"
"Is it then such a great secret? Miss Panney told it to me not twenty
minutes ago."
Mike put on his hat; he took his pie from the post, and held it,
first in one hand and then in the other. He seemed unable to express
what he thought.
"Look a here, Mrs. Flower," he said presently, "she told you that, did
she?"
"She really did," was the answer.
"Well, then," said Mike, "the long an' the short of it is, she lies.
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