CALVIN'S STORY
Passing from the kitchen into the back sitting-room, Calvin found Mr. Sim hunched in his chair, looking injured.
"I didn't know but you had gone without comin' in," he said; "seems to me you've ben a long time with them dishes."
"They're handsome dishes!" replied Calvin. "You wouldn't have me hurry and risk droppin' of them, would you? Well, Sim, I s'pose I must be joggin' along."
"What's your hurry? what's your hurry?" cried Mr. Sim peevishly. "I didn't have no chance to talk at dinner, there was so much clack goin' on;" and he cast a baleful glance at the doorway. "I want to know where you've ben and what you've ben doin' all these years, Calvin. Sit down and fill your pipe, and let's hear about it."
Calvin looked about him. "Well!" he said slowly, "I don't know as there's any such drivin' hurry. Hossy'll be pleased to stay a bit longer, I reckon;" he glanced out of the window at the fat brown horse, who was munching oats sleepily.
"Want to hear where I've been, do you, Sim? All right! Where shall I set? Sam'll want to hear too, won't he?"
"Yes!" cried Mr. Sam from the other room. "Certin' I do, Calvin, certin' I do."
"Well, how about this? Come on into the front room, Sim!"