Zeb did not reply, but went on quietly with his work.
"What are ye makin', Zeb?"
"What de ye think I'm makin'? A baby carriage?"
"Looks to me like a goose-poke."
"So it is; de ye want one?"
"De ye think I do?" Abner snapped.
"Well, judgin' from ye'r actions yesterday, one wouldn't come fer astray."
"Here, never mind that racket, Zeb. I've had enough of it. What's the news?"
"News! Lots of it: Joe Preston in the hospital, his assailant in jail, Lawyer Rackshaw's been givin' a rat-party, an' Abner Andrews has been holdin' a free entertainment at Mrs. Dugan's. That's some news, isn't it?"
"Ah, git out. I know all about that, an' too much in fact. I want to know how Joe's gittin' along. Have ye heard?"