He dropped in at the windmill shop to crow over the fact.
"He takes hold same as an old-time first mate used to take hold of a green crew," he declared.

"He had his job jumpin' to the whistle before the second day was over.

I declare I hardly dast to wake up mornin's for fear I'll find out our havin' such a smart feller is only a dream and that the livin' calamity is Lute Small.

And to think," he added, "that you knew about him for the land knows how long and would only hint instead of tellin'.

I don't know as you'd have told yet if his sister hadn't told first.