The instrument was dead.
"Out of order!" said Annie, "right when you want it.

When you want to make a date the girls says, 'Party's line's out of order.' Of course it is!" "Well, then I'll have to start down right away.

I got to see the Doc about this.

I hate to leave you alone." "Let him go," said Annie to Mary Gage.

"The soldiers 'll be back for supper pretty soon." "I've got to go over to Wid's," said Sim; "got to get another horse." He turned and left the room without more word of parting than he had shown of greeting.