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"Huh—I 'magine we can understand it by ourse'ves."

"So you do want me to get you the book?"

Abner pondered uncertainly and finally said, "Yes."

At this point Mr. Tug Beavers came out on the piazza and Nessie said, "Good-bye. Remember I'm going to pray for you an' Tug at exactly twelve o'clock to-day. (Individual prayers all over the village had been arranged by Reverend Blackman.)

Tug was picking his teeth. He manœuvred his jackknife to say, uncomfortably, "Much obliged, I'm shore," and went on out the gate with Abner.

When they were out of earshot, Tug swore an oath and immediately changed it to "By Gum"—for he was trying to stop swearing—"if this keeps on, somethin's goin' to bust shore's hell—I mean—er—now Mary Lou is goin' to pray for me at twelve, too, an' I God, I think that's wrong—doublin' up on a man!"

Mr. Beavers was clearly disturbed at these unfair spiritual tactics. He went on to complain, "I told 'em last night. I always tried to throw my influence on the right side, but Brother Blackman says, 'You got to throw yourse'f, too.—Hell—er, I mean—" He relapsed into a brooding silence and finally said, "If I don't cuss none I don't see how the hell I'm ever goin' to drive them mules."

Abner likewise was low-spirited. He had been able to elide profanity from his conversation without effort, but the idea of becoming a lawyer annoyed him. He looked upon lawyers from the hill point of view as subtle, rather awesome men who had somehow shifted the burden of life from brawn to brain; but who, nevertheless, were bloodless, leech-like, and unworthy to be classed as men. Now Nessie wanted him to become one of these—women had funny tastes. . . .

"Tug," he asked suddenly, "how would you like to be a lawyer?"

"Lawyer hell—I mean jest lawyer—why?"

"Nessie wants me to be one."

"Well, I be d—" He shut his mouth. (He did not