"Tell him it ain't!" said Mr. Sim.
"Cousin Sim says it ain't, Cousin Sam," said Mary, "and that's enough on the subject."
She spoke with calm and cheerful authority; the twins glowered at the corned beef in silence.
"Speakin' of critters," said Calvin Parks hastily, "how many head are you carryin' now, boys?"
There was no reply. Looking at Miss Sands, her eyes directed his glance to Mr. Sam.
"How many head are you carryin', Sam?" he repeated.
"Twenty!" replied Mr. Sam.
"That's a nice herd," said Calvin. "Hereford, be they?"
"Holstein!" said Sam. "They're the best milkers, and the best beef critters too."
Mr. Sim looked at Mary Sands with kindling eyes. "Tell him it ain't so!" he said. "Tell him he knows better!"