"I think it's highly probable."
"All your folks are lively, eh?" inquired Smallpotatoes.
"Pretty much so," said the storekeeper; "troubled a little with influenza, colds, &c.; nothing serious, however."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it."
"All your folks are well, I believe you said?" the storekeeper, in apparent solicitude, inquired, to be reassured of the fact.
"Ye-e-e-s, exceptin' the old lady."
Another pause; we began to feel convinced there was speculation in the rural gent's "eyes," and just for the fun of the thing—as we "were up" to such dodges—we determined to hang on and see how he come out.
"Well, I declare, I must be goin'!" suddenly said the rural gent, and actually made five steps towards the handle of the door.
"Don't be in a hurry," echoed the storekeeper. "When did you come in town?"
"I come in this mornin'."