"A few years younger than I am".
"Did he die hard?"
"Very hard, Aunt Esther", said John, looking solemn.
"Had yer known him long?"
"Yes, a long time".
Aunt Esther gave a deep sigh. "Does yer know weder he was pious?"
"Well, here he is. Perhaps you can tell by looking at him", said he, handing her a tooth, he had just had extracted, and bursting into a boyish laugh.
"O! yer go along, Massa John. I might hev knowed it was one of yer deceitful tricks", said Aunt Esther, trying to conceal her amusement, by putting on an injured look. "There, the fire burns now. Yer jest put on them dry clothes as quick as ever yer can, or mebbe ye'll lose another friend before long".
"It shall be done as you say, beloved Aunt Esther", said he, rising and bowing profoundly, as she left the room.