Mose felt his skin growing red. "Well, I just thought I'd like to take a turn in the States and see the elephant."
"You'll see the hull circus if you go to Chicago," said Mrs. Reynolds. "They say it's a terrible wicked place."
"I don't suppose it's any worse than Wagon Wheel, ma," said Cora.
"Yes, but it's so much bigger."
"Well, mother," said Reynolds, "a bear is bigger than a ho'net, but the ho'net can give him points and beat him, suah thing."
Mose was rather glad of this diversion, for when Reynolds spoke again it was to say: "I reckon I can fix it for you. When do you want it?"
"Right off, this week."
"Be gone long?"
Cora waited anxiously for his answer, and his hesitation and uncertainty of tone made her heart grow heavy.