"I told her," said Pete, "that a suspicious female, with a face like a grebe and an inquirin' mind is wishful to inspeck Dave's kidneys."
Mother wagged her head. "I own I'd like to believe Kate Smith is back in this country, but you're such a continuous and enduring liar."
"That's so," said Pete.
One day when the sun shone brightly into the cabin, Billy arrived with a letter from Captain Taylor. Pete would not give it to mother, or read it aloud, or even tell the news. He danced an ungainly hornpipe, and mother had to shake him.
"Can a woman's tender care
Cease toward the child She—Bear?
In the Old town
To-night my ba-Bee!"
"Now what on airth's the matter with yew?" mother boiled over.
"Yes, she may forgetful Bee,
Yet will I—remember Me.
"Finish them riggings by first May, says he.
"Says the old Obadiah
To the young Obadiah,
Obadiah, Obadiah!
Oh, be damned!
"Says I'm partner and boss of the outfit, and running the whole shootin' match, and I'll get more wealth than'll patch hell a mile, and