Him and me had a little talk.

He seemed to know consider'ble about your rumpus with Mr.Colton." "How did he know ?" "He wouldn't say, but I wouldn't wonder if he got a lot from Ase Peters.
Ase and he are pretty thick; he's got a mortgage on Ase's house, you know.

And Ase, bein' as he's doin' the carpenterin' over to Colton's, hears a lot from the servants, I s'pose likely.

Leastways, if they don't tell all their bosses' affairs they're a new breed of hired help, that's all I've got to say.

Cap'n Jed says Mr.Colton cal'lates you're a fool." "Yes.