"Like quoting the Bible all the time, instead of speaking for yourself?" Agrippa asked.
A pretty blush suffused Sophrona's cheeks. "No, not really," she admitted. "I find myself falling back on Bible verses when I'm nervous and lack anything substantial to say." With a self-deprecating smile she added, "The art of fine conversation is something I haven't quite mastered, either."
"Well, if you don't know how to do it," Yohan said, "I don't suspect these gals and I can learn in a few days."
"Oh, I do know how," Sophrona corrected. "Though I must confess that I am far from competent at it."
"You always seem to have the right thing to say to Cleavis," Esme said.
Smiling across at her, Sophrona's eyes lighted with mischief. "These days he does seem significantly more interested in what you have to say."
There was a chuckle of good humor around the table. It was clear that no hard feelings existed between the two women.
"The key, I believe," Sophrona said, "is to allow the men to talk about the things that they want to talk about."
"What kind of things will that be?" Esme asked.
Sophrona shrugged. "I really couldn't say. The interests of gentlemen vary. At least we know that, like Cleavis, these men are interested in pisciculture."
The twins moaned in unison.
"You mean we're going to fix a fancy dinner and get all dressed up so we can sit around the dining room table talking about some smelly fish!" Adelaide's words were incredulous.
"Well, perhaps fish will not be their only interest," Sophrona suggested hopefully. "Conceivably, gentlemen from the city will have an interest in art and music."
"We don't know anything about either," Esme complained.
"Speak for yourself, youngun," Pa interrupted. "I know dad-blamed everything there is to know about fiddle-playing."
"That's true," Sophrona agreed delightedly. "Your father's musical abilities could make fine parlor discourse."
"Sure enough," Yohan stated with a nod. "Don't you worry about a thing, Esme-girl. If these city-shoed starched collars start looking antsy, I'll just take up my fiddle and have them cutting the rug in a shake."
Hugging each other and giggling, the twins quickly made their own plans. "When Pa plays them the fiddle, we can teach them how to clogg."
"Clogg?" Esme somehow couldn't imagine two northern gentlemen in fine suits stomping their heels against the floorboards.
"Sure!" Agrippa said. "And we can take them up on the mountain and show them how to pick lupin."
Adelaide nodded enthusiastically. "Maybe Agrippa and I can take them swimming down to the river," she suggested.
"No!" Sophrona and Esme spoke with immediate harmony.
"That kind of thing shocks folks here," Esme told her sisters. "You'd probably give these city men apoplexy!"
Sophrona nodded gravely. "It's very important," she told the twins, "to behave within the proper limits of genteel society."
"Well, that's not going to be a whole lot of fun," Adelaide protested. "These fellers ain't gonna feel welcome, they're gonna feel downright bored."
Tut-tutting lightly, Sophrona disagreed. "Ladylike behavior is never boring. Gentlemen find it fascinating."
As if her words had suddenly become flesh, a light tap was heard on the front doorframe.
"I'll get it," Mrs. Rhy said, easily pulling herself up from the chair and hurrying into the front hall.
"Well, come on in," they heard her call in welcome. "I do swear marriage must be agreeing with you. You are looking mighty fine."
"Why, thank you, ma'am." Armon Hightower's voice could be heard from the hallway.
