They knew he was harmless, for even his neighbors needed proof of any assertion he made; moreover, the investigation Uncle John was making would soon set matters right; so the young ladies did not hesitate to "have fun" at the little agent's expense.
One of McNutt's numerous occupations was raising a "patch" of watermelons each year on the lot back of the house.

These he had fostered with great care since the plants had first sprouted through the soil, and in these late August days two or three hundreds of fine, big melons were just getting ripe.

He showed the patch with much pride one day to the nieces, saying: "Here's the most extry-fine melling-patch in this county, ef I do say it myself.

Dan Brayley he thinks he kin raise mellings, but the ol' fool ain't got a circumstance to this.

Ain't they beauties ?" "It seems to me," observed Patsy, gravely, "that Brayley's are just as good.