“ ‘I don’t know, no, n’t I,’ says I.

“ ‘Tell you what,’ says he, ‘that ’ere Hannah Downer—’

“ ‘What of Hannah Downer?’ says I, for I begun to crawl all over.

“ ‘Tell ye what,’ says he; ‘she’s a whole team.’

“ ‘Ah,’ says I, ‘she’s a whole team, and a horse to let.’

“ ‘Tell ye what,’ says he, ‘guess somebody has a sneakin’ notion that way.’

“ ‘Shouldn’t wonder,’ says I, feelin’ all over in a flustration, thinkin’ he meant me.

“ ‘Tell ye what,’ says he, ‘guess Peet Spinbutton and she’s pretty thick together.’

“ ‘How you talk!’ says I.

“ ‘Fact,’ says he.