"Yes, ma'am, I struck out across the fields fo' home, I didn't wish to hear no mo' of that loose kind of talk.

When I got home I found my old daddy setting up afo' the fire, and he says, 'You come away early, son.' I told him what Dave Blount had called me and he says, 'You acted like a gentleman, Bob, with all them womenfolks about."' "You had a very good and sensible father, Mr.Yancy.How much better than if--" began Mrs.Ferris, who feared that the moral might elude him.
"Yes, ma'am, but along about day he come into the loft where I was sleeping and says to me, 'Sun-up, Bob--time fo' you to haul on yo' pants and go back yonder and fetch that Dave Blount a smack in the jaw.'" Mrs.
Ferris moved uneasily in her chair: "I dressed and come here, but when I asked fo' Dave he wouldn't step outside, so I just lost patience with his foolishness and took a crack at him standing where I'm standing now, but he ducked and you can still see, ma'am"-- turning to the embarrassed Mrs.Ferris--"where my knuckles made a dint in the door-jamb.

I got him the next lick, though!" Mr.Yancy's moral tale had reached its conclusion; it was not for him to boast unduly of his prowess.
"Uncle Bob, you lift me up and show me them dints!" and Hannibal slipped from his seat.
"Oh, no!" said Betty Malroy laughing.

She captured the boy and drew him down beside her on a corner of her chair.

"I am sure you don't want to see the dents--Mr.Yancy's story, children, is to teach us how important it is to guard our words--and not give way to hasty speech--" "Betty!" cried Mrs.Ferris indignantly.
"Judith, the moral is as obvious as it is necessary." Mrs.Ferris gave her a reproachful look and turned to the children.
"You will all be here next Sunday, won't you ?--and at the same hour ?" she said, rising.
There was a sudden clatter of hoofs beyond the door.