Jarius. No, no. Hold on a minute. (Catches her by the arm; gets flour on his hands.) ’Tain’t that. (Aside.) Consarn it, there’s a cold chill runs up my back, and my face is burnin’ up. (Wipes his face with his hands, leaving flour on it.)
Sally. Why, Mr. Jerden, what is the matter with you? You’re as pale as a ghost!
Jarius. Jes’ so. O, Sally, hear me. Don’t look at me, but open your ears. Pally Seeslee,—no, Sally Peeslee,—I—I—I think it’s going to rain. (Aside.) I can’t do it.
Sally. Wal, what of it?
Jarius. Jes’ so. It’ll put an end to the dry spell.
Sally. It seems to me that you are having a very dry spell about somethin’, Mr. Jerden.
Jarius. Yes; jes’ so. Ha, ha, ha-h! That’s very good!
Sally. I’ll be back before you want me, I guess. (Going, L.)
Jarius. Don’t leave me. Hear me first, for I’m on an awful strain, and if I once let up I’m a gone coon. Sally, I want to say—I must say—Sally, I mean to say—how’s your marm?