"Weather looks a mite soft."
No answer.
"About that interest," said Eben, plunging into the dread subject, "don't know as I'm ready this month after all."
"G-goin' to town meetin', Eben?"
"Wahn't callatin' to," answered Eben.
"G-goin' to town meetin', Eben?"
Eben, puzzled and dismayed, ran his hand through his hair.
"Wahn't callatin' to—but I kin—I kin."
"D-Democrat—hain't ye—D-Democrat?"
"I kin be," said Eben. Then he looked at Jethro and added in a startled voice, "Don't know but what I be—Yes, I guess I be."