Nance made no answer but crouched lower and attempted to put the table between them.
“What t'ell Bill ails you—will you tell me?” he asked with rising wrath.
“I THOUGHT you wuz the devil,” the old woman panted. “Now I KNOW it!”
Jim suddenly remembered his goggles and coat, and broke into a laugh.
“Oh!”
He removed his goggles and cap, threw back his big coat and squared his shoulders with a smile.
“How's that?”
Nance glowered at him with ill-concealed rage, looked him over from head to foot, and answered with a snarl:
“'Tain't much better—ef ye ax ME!”
“Gee! But you're a sociable old wild-cat!” he exclaimed, starting back as if she had struck him a blow.