"If you didn't, Mr. Buckham," said Neale, boldly.
"I most sartainly didn't!" exclaimed Mr. Buckham. "You know I wouldn't, Neale O'Neil; don't you?"
"I never did think you did so mean a thing," declared Neale, frankly.
"But somebody told your teacher."
"Wrote him."
"And he thinks I done it?"
"Whoever it was must have signed your name to the letter."
"Nobody but marm does that," said the old man, quickly. "'Strawberry Farm'—that is what we call the place, you know, Neale."
"Yes, sir."
"An' I got it printed on some letter paper, and marm always writes my letters for me on that paper. Then, if it's a very pertic'lar one, I sign it myself. But you know, Neale, I ain't no schollard. I handle a muck-fork better'n I do a pen."