“You did. And I ain't been so shook up for many a day. Young feller, I'm goin' to tell you what no other man in Ostable County knows. I AM married. I've got a wife livin'.”
CHAPTER VII
OUT OF THE BAG
“I'm married, and I've got a wife livin',” continued Seth; adding hurriedly and fiercely, “don't you say nothin' to me! Don't you put me out. I'm goin' to tell you! I'm goin' to tell you all of it—all, by time! I am, if I die for it.”
He was speaking so rapidly that the words were jumbled together. He knocked his hat from his forehead with a blow of his fist and actually panted for breath. Brown had never before seen him in this condition.
“Hold on! Wait,” he cried. “Atkins, you needn't do this; you mustn't. I am asking no questions. We agreed to—”
“Hush up!” Seth waved both hands in the air. “DON'T you talk! Let me get this off my chest. Good heavens alive, I've been smotherin' myself with it for years, and, now I've got started, I'll blow off steam or my b'iler'll bust. I'm GOIN' to tell you. You listen—
“Yes, sir, I'm a married man,” he went on. “I wa'n't always married, you understand. I used to be single once. Once I was single; see?”
“I see,” said Brown, repressing a smile.