“Yas! Sence ’Caje Dunham whirled ’round and showed some signs of bein’ human, Sum found that he was in a class by himself as the meanest man in town, and he got jealous of ’Caje.”
“It won’t hurt this place none if some of the rest of ’em runs races of the same sort,” said Buck.
The click of the key in the lock above their heads startled them.
Squire Phin was coming down the stairs, shoving the key of his office into his trousers.
“We’ve jest been list’nin’ to some news about you, Squire,” called one of the group on the bench.
Squire Phin came around the corner of the stairway, put his hands behind his back and smiled at them.
“What now, neighbours?” he inquired.
“Says here in Ase’s paper that you’re goin’ to be a judge,” replied Buck.
“Well, that is news,” said the Squire, and yet with a quizzical cock to his eyebrows that indicated that he was in no measure surprised.
“Go ’long with you! You knowed it all the time!” snorted Buck.