“‘Fishin’ off the Shark’s Fin,’ says I. ‘We just come up loaded, an’—’
“‘You don’t find me,’ says he. ‘I says, where was you afore you was is?’
“‘Is you gone mad?’ says I.
“‘Not at all, Tumm,’ says he. ‘Not at all! ’Tis a plain question. You is, isn’t you? Well, then, you must have been was. Now, then, Tumm, where was you?’
“‘Afore I was born?’
“‘Ay—afore you was is.’
“‘God knows!’ says I. ‘I ’low I don’t. An’ look you, Botch,’ says I, ‘this talk ain’t right. You isn’t a infidel, is you?’
“‘Oh no!’ says he.
“‘Then,’ says I, for I was mad, ‘where in hell did you think up all this ghostly tomfoolery?’
“‘On the grounds,’ says he.