Mrs. Mayfield walked down the road, and Kintchin with an improvised tune took up the axe which Jasper had stuck into the log. But just as he was about to begin the work of grinding it, Mose Blake, shoving a wheelbarrow, came into the yard.

"Whar's S—S—S—S—Star—"

"Talkin' ter me?"

"Ye—y—y—y—yes."

"Den why don't you?"

"I a—a—a—am."

"You ain't said so."

"Shut yo' b—b—b—black mouth."

"Huh, I could do dat an' den talk better den you does."

"I can b—b—b—beat you t—t—t—talkin'."