If you'd heard Phineas Babbitt goin' on the way I done, I guess likely you'd have been interested." It was plain that, for the first time since his caller intruded upon his privacy, the maker of mills and sailors WAS interested.
He did not put down his brush, but he turned his head to look and listen.

Bearse, pleased with this symptom of attention, went on.
"I was just into Phineas' store," he said, "and he was there, so I had a chance to talk with him.

He's been up to Boston and never got back till this afternoon, so I cal'lated maybe he hadn't heard about Cap'n Sam's app'intment.

And I knew, too, how he does hate the Cap'n; ain't had nothin' but cuss words and such names for him ever since Sam done him out of gettin' the postmaster's job.
Pretty mean trick, some folks call it, but--" Mr.Winslow interrupted; his drawl was a trifle less evident.
"Congressman Taylor asked Sam for the truth regardin' Phineas and a certain matter," he said.

"Sam told the truth, that's all." "Well, maybe that's so, but does tellin' the truth about folks make 'em love you?
I don't know as it does." Winslow appeared to meditate.
"No-o," he observed, thoughtfully, "I don't suppose you do." "No, I.