Another groan finished the sentence.
Mrs. Armstrong came forward.
"Please don't worry about it, Mr. Winslow," she said. "I know you didn't mean it. Of course, knowing your feelings, I shouldn't think of taking the house."
But Jed slowly shook his head.
"I want you to," he declared. "Yes, I mean it. I want you to come and live in this house for a month, anyhow. If you don't, that Powless woman will come back and buy every stick and rag on the place. I don't want to sell 'em, but I couldn't say no to her any more than I could to the Old Harry. I called her the Old Scratch's wife, didn't I," he added. "Well, I won't take it back."
Captain Sam laughed uproariously.
"You ain't very complimentary to Mr. Powless," he observed.
Jed rubbed his chin.
"I would be if I was referrin' to him," he drawled, "but I judge he's her second husband."