I was scared silly--silly, I tell you.

He laughs some more, and then he sobers down to solid talk.
"'Why, Charlie,' says I, 'it can't be you.

I'm so glad.' I allowed the best thing was to jolly him along.

I knew he'd make trouble.

I wanted a chance to think.
"We stood out there so close I could see the cabin all the time--and we talked.