Cap Franklin, he went," said Sam.

"That wasn't nothin'.
Why, o' _course_ we'd go." "No one else wouldn't, though." Sam wondered.

"I was always too much a coward to say a word to you," he began.

And then an awful doubt sat on his soul.
"Nory," he resumed solemnly, "did ever any feller say anything to you about my--I-I-I--well, my lovin' you ?" "I should say not!" said Nora.

"I'd a' slapped his face, mighty quick! What business--" "Not never a single one ?" said Sam, his face brightening.
"No, 'ndeed.