Abner untied his horse from the post near the place of meeting, while his wife scrambled up into the carriage. Neither had spoken a word since leaving the building. It was only when well started on their homeward way that Mrs. Andrews ventured to speak.
"What was the matter with you to-night, Abner?" she enquired.
"Nuthin', as fer as I know."
"Yes, there was, or you wouldn't have spoken and acted the way you did."
"Oh, I jist wanted to give them folks a jolt, that's all."
"And made a fool of yourself, didn't you?"
"De ye think I did, Tildy? Gid-dap, Jerry."
"I know it. Only a fool or a lunatic would offer to give one thousand dollars when he hasn't a cent to his name."
"Ye'r wrong, Tildy. I'm not crazy, an' I don't think I'm altogether a fool. It was somethin' else that shook me timbers at the meetin'."
"What was it?"