-- Nor nobody else sha'n't ?" said she looking up at Winthrop.
"If you behave yourself." "I'll go now right off!" said Clam, jumping up in great spirits.

Then with a changing and doubtful tone she added, looking to Winthrop, "Will you take me ?" "Yes," he said smiling, "but not this evening.

You must go home now, when the storm is over, for to-night; and I'll come and see your mother about it." "What for ?" was the very earnest and prompt answer.
"If you agree to come, I must get her to bind you out." "I aint goin' to be bound," said Clam shaking her head; -- "if you bind me, I'll run." "Run as fast as you please," said Winthrop; -- "run whenever you want to; -- but I can't take you unless you be bound, for I won't have your mother coming after you." "Can't she do nothin' to me if I'm bound ?" said Clam.
"Nothing at all, till you grow up to be a woman; and then you can take care of yourself." "I'll take care of myself all along," said Clam.

"Nobody else aint a goin' to." "But somebody must give you clothes to wear, and a bed to sleep in, and your dinner, you know; and you must do work for somebody, to pay for it." "To pay for my dinner ?" "Yes." "Very good!" said Clam.

"I guess I'll stand it.