“I’d hate to be cross-examined on a witness stand as to why I made such a promise to him,” he muttered, and then he put another stick into the stove, spatted his hands, gave the old dog an affectionate cuff, and went back to his work.


CHAPTER XIX—SQUIRE PHIN SEES AND REPLEVINS WHAT BELONGS TO HIM

IN MANNER DECIDEDLY SUMMARY

Then twice and thrice the youth’s parched lips

Strive hard to frame the longed-for word;

And twice and thrice he tries again,

Yet not a single sound is heard.

There’s just an upward flash of eyes