To be sure , she had not thought of him for years . It was strange he should come back like this -- `` romantic , '' as he said himself . Mattie 's reverie was interrupted by Selena . Angular , pale-eyed Mrs. Ford was as unlike the plump , rosy Mattie as a sister could be . Perhaps her chronic curiosity , which would not let her rest , was accountable for her excessive leanness . `` Who was that pedlar that was here this afternoon , Mattie ? '' she demanded as soon as she arrived . Mattie smiled . `` Jed Crane , '' she said . `` He 's home from the West and driving a tin-wagon for the Boones . '' Selena gave a little gasp . She sat down on the lowest step and untied her bonnet strings . `` Mattie Adams ! And you kept him hanging about the whole afternoon . '' `` Why not ? '' said Mattie wickedly . She liked to alarm Selena . `` Jed and I were always beaus , you know . '' `` Mattie Adams ! You do n't mean to say you 're going to make a fool of yourself over Jed Crane again ?
A woman XXXXX your age ! ''
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