"Before you left the church," asked the Professor, "why didn't you reach up and ontie that strap?"
Another loud shout of laughter broke from the company, and Quincy, realizing that the Professor had beaten him fairly by putting a point on his own story, joined heartily in the laugh at his own expense.
"That reminds me," said Abner Stiles, "of an adventure that I had several years ago, down in Maine, when I wuz younger and spryer'n I am now."
"How old be you?" said the Professor.
"Wall," replied Abner, "the family Bible makes me out to be fifty-eight, but jedgin' from the fun I've had I'm as old as Methooserlar."
This remark gave Stiles the preliminary laugh, which he always counted upon when he told a story.
"Did yer ever meet a b'ar?" asked he, directing his remark to Quincy.
"Yes," said Quincy, "I've stood up before one many a time."
"Well, really," exclaimed Abner, "how'd yer come off?"