The farmer woke up from his nap at three in the afternoon to the sound of the dog barking. He wondered what the ruckus was all about anyway.  He went to check on the matter and took his rifle with him. Hopefully, he would not need to use it but one never could be sure in this situation.  He looked to see what the bark meant and sure enough the dog had chased a raccoon up a tree. 

    The farmer fired a couple of rounds at the creature and killed it. Then, he back inside the house satisfied with a job well done. He sat down in his rocking chair to relax for a bit. His wife looked up at him, and asked, "Is everything all right, dear?"

   "Yes, the dog caught him a coon, and I put it out of its misery," The farmer explained.

    "Good for you, we can not have the raccoon eating all the chicken eggs,"  Nathaniel said. He had gotten back recently after he had spent time with his Lila.

    "Now, you are right about that you are, Nathaniel, " The farmer said.

    "I thought you might be calling on Lila," The farmer's wife said.

   "I went on a walk with her earlier.  She and I plan to go out for a bit this coming, Saturday," He said.

   "All right, but just try not to stay out too late because that is when the coyotes and ruffagins come out," The farmer replied. 

   "Ok, I will be sure to keep that in mind,"  Nathaniel responded.

    "I agree with Henry here because the longer the date the greater the temptation is you here," The farmer's wife had said.

"Yes, Mame, " Nathaniel said.

    Nathaniel smiled because he knew the couple had his best interest in mind. He knew they were not related. This fact never troubled him before and it still does not now. He was glad to have someone look out for him even in his young adult years. It certainly did not hurt to be cautious.  Besides, he reasons within himself the more gentleman like I am the better mine and Lila's relationship will be in the long run.