L. J. You won’t be.
J. Q. A. I will, too.
L. J. You won’t, nuther. (Makes up a face.)
Old Phin Gan-dowdy,
He’th an’ old rowdy.
J. Q. A. This is the way you’ll look when you are a loveress. (Imitates a fine young lady.) How are you, Hank! Mrs. Henry Mudgitt!
L. J. Go way—you gump!
Mrs. G. Do, children, stop yer bickerin’! (To Mary) I declare for’t’ I hate to hev yer go so far from hum. But, then (with a sigh), my mother lives e’en a’most to the jumpin’-off place daown East; and I hain’t seen her this five year.
Capt. G. (goes to Mrs. G. and puts hand on her shoulder). It’s the way o’ natur’, mother. The Bible says: “A man shall leave his father and mother, an’ shall be united to his wife.”
J. Q. A. Well, father, it don’t say she shall. It says he.