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They had reached the door, but she held him there a moment, while

she laughed delightedly and hugged him. "I knew it was me. As if

we'd let our old doc go, or have anything to do with a young

ignoramus from Denver! Didn't you know I was joking? Of course

you did."

He still pretended severity. "Oh, I know you. When it comes to

wheedling an old fool, you've got the rest of the girls in this

valley beat to a fare-you-well."

"Is that why you always loved me?" she asked, with a sparkle of

mischief in her eye.

"I didn't love you. I never did. The idea!" he snorted. "I don't

know what you young giddy pates are coming to. Huh! Love you!"

"I'll forgive you, even if you did," she told him sweetly.

"That's it! That's it!" he barked. "You forgive all the young

idiots when they do. And they all do--every last one of them. But

I'm too old for you, young lady. Sixty-three yesterday. Huh!"

"I like you better than the younger ones."

"Want us all, do you? Young and old alike. Well, count me out."