"What do you mean by insulting me?" he demanded. "You owe me an apology for those words."
"Ye'r mistaken there, Ikey. It's the geese I should apologize to. I didn't mean to insult them poor critters."
"You're no gentleman," Isaac shouted, now fully aroused. "You're nothing but an ignorant clown."
"Yes, I reckon I am. But I'll improve by the time I'm ready to keep geese. Ye'll hardly know me then. But I'll know you, Ikey, fer no one could ever mistake that nose, even when it's changed into a goose's bill. There'll be lots of grubs and worms fer ye to feed on by the looks of things now."
"You impudent cur!" Isaac roared. "I didn't come here to be insulted, but to have a quiet talk about buying your place."
"No one asked ye to come, Ikey Dimock, an' the sooner ye go the better. Ye've insulted me over an' over agin, an' thought it was all right. But two kin play at that game, an' by the jumpin'-frog I've a good mind to twist ye'r measley neck."
So fierce did Abner look that Isaac retreated a few steps.
"Oh, don't git scared," Abner laughed. "I'll not hurt ye. But next time ye come to buy this place, bring ye'r shot-gun along. I don't like to kill a man without givin' him a chance to defend himself."
"I'll bring a constable, that's who I'll bring."
"All right, bring the hull police force if ye want to. They kin set as long as they like by the side of the road an' watch me hoe. That's as fer as they'll git, fer I'm king on me own ground, an' so long as I mind me own bizness I defy anyone to meddle with me. You're a trespasser here to-day, Ikey Dimock, an' the sooner ye hit fer the road the better fer all consarned."