As they were driving back 'Zekiel asked Quincy if he knew Mrs. Hawkins was going to sell out.
“No, why. Getting too old?”
“No, she's as spry as a cat, and she's seventy odd. That ain't the reason. Jonas is dead.”
“What was the matter?”
“Chickens.”
“What—overeating?”
“No, somebody stole his chickens. So he arranged a gun with a spring and he must have forgotten it.”
“He didn't 'kalkilate' on its hitting him?”
“Guess not. Mrs. Hawkins says she's too old to marry agin, and she can't run the house without a man she can trust.”
“Let's stop and see her.”