“Huh!”
Isaac rose and repeated his question with rising wrath:
“What sez ye ter de word er de Lawd?”
“I ain’ heared de Lawd say nuttin yit!”
“An’ why ain’t ye?”
“Case you keep so much fuss I can’t hear nuttin’, Isaac Graham!”
“Doan you call me dat name, you brazen sinner dat sets in de seat er de scornful! Is ye ready ter repent an’ sin no mo?”
Isaac approached her threateningly and Alfred, watching with bulging eyes, clutched the stick he had picked up.
“Tech me if ye dare—I bus’ yo head open wid dis flat-iron!”
Isaac knew his duty now and determined to perform it without further ceremony. The anointed of the Lord had been threatened by the ungodly. He drew a seasoned hickory withe from a crack where he had hidden it and approached his sceptical spouse.