“No, sir,” answered Dan, unable to repress a smile at the thought of Mr. Lee up a tree.
“What you grinnin’ at?” demanded the storekeeper sourly. “I s’pose you think it’s funny to see men chased by a bull.”
“No, sir; I’m sorry you had to run.”
“Had to run? I didn’t have to run. I could a’ stood still, and fought that bull, if I’d a minded to, but I had some money in my pocket, from collectin’ a bill, and I didn’t want to lose it. I wasn’t afraid of that bull, and I don’t want you to git that notion into your head, either.”
Dan thought it wisest to say nothing on this score, though he was very certain Mr. Lee had been very much frightened by the angry beast.
“I’ll tell you what it is,” went on the storekeeper, “if you ever play a trick like that on me again I’ll have you arrested, that’s what I’ll do.”
“It wasn’t a trick, Mr. Lee.”
“Don’t tell me. I know better. What do you want?”
“I want a quarter’s worth of molasses.”
“Well, give me the jug.”