The old lady leaned toward him with a mist in her eyes and a quaver in her voice, and asked softly, "Got ary friend that could help you, David ?" The man looked straight ahead in silence.
"Bamfoozle all the rest of them as much as you please, lad, but I stand to you in the place of your ma, and so I ast you plainly----got ary friend that could help ?" "I can think of no way in which any one possibly could help me, dear," said the Harvester gently.

"It is a matter I can't explain, but I know of nothing that any one could do." "You mean you're tight-mouthed! You COULD tell me just like you would your ma, if she was up and comin'; but you can't quite put me in her place, and spit it out plain.

Now mebby I can help you! Is it her fault or yourn ?" "Mine! Mine entirely!" "Hum! What a fool question! I might a knowed it! I never saw a lovinger, sweeter girl in these parts.

I jest worship the ground she treads on; and you, lad you hain't had a heart in your body sence first you saw her face.

If I had the stren'th, I'd haul you out of this keeridge and I'd hammer you meller, David Langston.