"I did."
"What'd he say?"
"Oh, heart's wrong all right, just what Rackett said. But might live to be older than he is. So I might too, lad."
"So you will an' all, Dad."
And then Mr. Ellis, as if desperate to change the conversation, pulling hard at his pipe:
"Jersey cow calved?"
"Yes."
"Bull again?"
"No, heifer. Beauty."
They both smiled silently. Then Tom's tongue suddenly was loose.