It so happened that the tanner’s great-aunt was distantly related to Andy Byers. Being ill, and an extremely old woman, she was supposed to be lying at the point of death, and her kindred had been summoned to hear her last words.
“I hed ’lowed ter gin Birt a day off, ’kase I hev got ter hev the mule in the wagon, an’ he can’t grind bark. I
promised
Birt a day off,” the tanner continued.
“That thar’s twixt ye an’ Birt. I hain’t got no call ter meddle,” said the obdurate Byers. “Ye kin bide with the tanyard an’ finish this job yerse’f, of so minded. I’m goin’ ter attend.”
“I reckon half the kentry-side will be thar, an’
I
wants ter see the folks,” said Jubal Perkins, cheerfully.
“Then Birt will hev ter bide with the tanyard, an’ finish this job. It don’t lie with me ter gin him a day off. I don’t keer ef he never gits a day off,” said Byers.
This was an unnecessarily unkind speech, and Birt’s anger flamed out.