You an’ marm are gettin’ feeble; mustn’t have

ye up so late!

I’m the boss—” John sort o’ te-heed, “so I’ll

have to keep ye straight.

’Sides, I’ll need ye bright an’ early. In the

mornin’ hitch the mare,

Take that paper down t’ court-house. Have it

put on record there.”

Uncle Tascus took the writin’, pulled his specs

down on his nose,