"I don't want ter," he said.
"No, I see you don't—but I want to hear them," said Mr. Linden very quietly. "But tell me the truth this time, Phil."
"Folks has a right to speak," said Phil, stating a broad proposition,—"but they hain't a right to tell all they say!"
"Well?"—said Mr. Linden, waiving that.
"'Twarn't nothin'!" said Phil—"and it 'll just make folks mad—and I durstn't—"
"Dare not repeat what you have dared to say? how is that, Phil? But my forgiveness always meets confession half way, as you know," said Mr. Linden.
"Well," said Phil, "I jest told Reuben he'd druv her down, and Reuben said Joe was mistaken. It was Joe said it first,"
"And what did you say before Dr. Harrison?"
"I said what Reuben said,"—said Phil feeling poorly.
"And what was that?"—Mr. Linden was as untireable as a minority juror.