"'Got her here.'
"'And who is it you've got?'
"'Susan Shellbark.'
"'Susan Shellbark!' cried Sam. 'You don't mean to say that!'
"'It's Susan Shellbark, and I do mean to say that.'
"'Why, you've known her all your life,' said Sam.
"'All my life,' was the answer.
"'Then why didn't you take her afore?' asked his friend.
"'Because I hadn't been to Thompsontown to see what I could get there. Of course I didn't want to take anybody here until I found out what there was in Thompsontown. Now I know there ain't nothin' for me there.'
"'And so you take Susan Shellbark!' interrupted Sam.