“Come, children, be good, and don’t make your mother any trouble.”
“Well,” replies the youngest, “if Bill ’ll tell me a bear story ’ll go to sleep.”
The mother withdraws, and Bill starts out—
“Well, you know, there was an old bear who lived in a cave. He was a big black bear. He had eyes like coals of fire, you know, and when he looked at a feller he——”
“Ma, Bill’s scaring me!” yells Henry, sitting on end.
“Oh, ma! that’s the awfullest story you ever heard!” replies Bill.
“Hitch along, I say!” exclaims Henry.
“I am along!” replies Bill.
“Get yer knee out’n my back!”
“Hain’t anywhere near ye!”