"Ed, what's up between you and Bettie?"
"Oh, I don't know. I can't find out," Blackler replied, and he spurred himself desperately into the fun.
III.
"It'll make Ed Blackler squirm t' see Betsey come in on Milt Jennings' arm," said Bill to Shephard after Milton went out.
"Wal, chuss. I denk it will." Shephard was looking round the room, where the old people were noisily eating supper, and the steaming oysters and the cold chicken's savory smell went to his heart. One of the motherly managers of the feast bustled up to him.
"Shephard, you c'n run over t' the house an' tell the young folks that they can come over t' supper about eight o'clock; that'll be in a half an hour. You understand?"
"Oh, I'm so hungry! Can't y' give me a hunk o' chicken t' stay m' stomach?"
Mrs. Councill laughed. "I'll fish you out a drumstick," she said. And he went away, gnawing upon it hungrily. Bill went with him, still belching forth against Blackler.
"Jim said he heard he said he'd slap my face f'r a cent. I wish he would. I'd lick the life out of 'im in a minnit."