Hezekiah. (Rushing up to shake hands with Hood.) How de dew, Gineral? (Hood refuses to shake. Hez. astonished.) Don’t blame ye a Hannah Cook! Never felt so mean about anything afore in my life. You must think I’m putty darn small pertaters, to let myself get roped in by a pair er runts like them. (Looks in Hood’s face a moment.)
Hood. Well, sir, what have you to say for spying?
Hezekiah. Now you get out! Why I know you (grabs Hood’s hand) jest as well as I do Abe Linkon. (Hood tries to disengage his hand.) Why, you are that old covey that I met down there in the woods, that wanted ter know where the old man lived. (Lets go his hand.) Don’t blame ye for wantin’ ter give me the shake. Say? Got any terbacker in yer trowsis?
Hood. No, sir!
Hezekiah. (Confidentially.) Say, I never felt so disgraceful about anything afore in my life. ’Tween you and I, let me have a chance ter distribit their meat in a fair scratch, and I’ll give ye forty dollars.
Hood. (To Brightly.) Who is this fellow?
Brightly. His name is Goferum.
Hood. Goferum! What a name!
Hezekiah. (Dashing to L., and throwing off coat.) Jess you say. I want you to understand that forty dollars is scarcer than fools are in this country. (Coat off, turns.)
Hood. (To Brightly.) Seize the fool! (Barney throws off coat, &c.)