You'll have your hands full, cap'n." It seemed an unusually long morning, but dinner-time came at last and he hastened across to the farm, eager for the first sight of the sweet shy face hiding in the big sun-bonnet.
Quite contrary to his expectations Nance came hurrying to meet him.

She had evidently been on the watch for him.

Still more to his surprise, her face, instead of that look of shy reserve which he had been prepared for, was full of anxious questioning.

The large dark eyes were full of something he had never seen in them before.
"Why--Nance--dear! What is the matter ?" he asked quickly.
"Did you meet Tom again last night?
Oh," at nearer sight of his bruised face, "you did, you did!" "Yes, dear, I did.

Or rather he met me--as you see." "Did you fight with him ?" she panted.
"He was too drunk to fight.