“After all,” said Paul, “we’re like travelers in a great desert looking for an oasis.”
“We ain’t as hungry ez all that,” said Long Jim.
“You won’t get angry if I laugh, Jim, will you?” asked Paul.
“Don’t mind me. Go ahead an’ laugh all you want.”
“An oasis is not something to eat, Jim. It’s a green and watered place in an ocean of sand.”
“Seems to me that we waste time lookin’ fur a place that’s more watered than all these we’re crossin’. What I want is a dry place, a piece out uv that ocean uv sand you’re talkin’ ’bout.”
“The conditions are merely reversed. My illustration holds good.”
“What did you say, Paul? Them wuz mighty big words.”
“Never mind. You’ll find out in due time. Just you pray for an oasis in this swamp, because that is what we want, and we want it bad.”
“All right, Paul, I’m prayin’. I ain’t shore what I’m prayin’ fur, but I take your word fur it.”