`` Mattie Adams ! You do n't mean to say you 're going to make a fool of yourself over Jed Crane again ? A woman of your age ! '' `` Do n't get excited , Selena , '' implored Mattie . In the old days Selena could cow her , but that time was past . `` I never saw the like of you for getting stirred up over nothing . '' `` I 'm not excited . I 'm perfectly calm . But I might well be excited over your folly , Mattie Adams . The idea of your taking up again with old Jed Crane ! '' `` He 's fifteen years younger than Jim , '' said Mattie , giving thrust for thrust . When Selena had come over Mattie had not the slightest idea of resuming her former relationship with the romantic Jedediah . She had merely shown him kindness for old friendship 's sake . But so well did the unconscious Selena work in Jed 's behalf that when she flounced off home in a pet Mattie was resolved that she would take Jed back if he wanted to come . She was n't going to put up with Selena 's everlasting interference . She would show her that she was independent . When a week had passed Jed came again . He sold Mattie a stew-pan and he would not go in to tea this time , but they stood and talked in the yard for the best part of an hour , while Selena glared at them from her kitchen window . Their conversation was most innocent and harmless , being mainly gossip about what had come and gone during Jed 's exile . But Mattie knew that Selena thought that she and Jed were making love to each other in this shameless , public fashion .
When Jed went , Mattie , more XXXXX Selena 's benefit than his , broke off some sprays of honeysuckle and pinned them on his coat .
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