"Say now, Joe, what you kickin' 'bout?"
"Him," said Joe comprehensively.
"Mr. Ben? Why, he's one of our best friends. Maw likes him better'n anybody I ever kept company with. What have all you fellers got against him?"
"He was black marveled at the hall all right," said Joe grimly.
"What for?"
"It ain't none of my business to tell what for," said Joe, though his lips ached to tell what he knew.
"Maw says all you fellows are jealous 'cause he talks so pretty and wears such stylish clothes."
"We might, too, if we got 'em like he done," Joe began, then checked himself. "Say, Mittie, why don't yer maw like me?"
"She says you haven't got any school education and don't talk good grammar."
"Don't I talk good grammar?" asked Joe anxiously.