Sis says the same thing about you, Jed." Jed made no comment, but his eyes shone.

Charles went on.
"Don't you get tired of hearing the story of my life ?" he asked.
"I--" He stopped short and the smile faded from his lips.

Jed knew why.
The story of his life was just what he had not told, what he could not tell.
As January slid icily into February Mr.Gabriel Bearse became an unusually busy person.

There were so many things to talk about.
Among these was one morsel which Gabe rolled succulently beneath his tongue.

Charles Phillips, "'cordin' to everybody's tell," was keeping company with Maud Hunniwell.
"There ain't no doubt of it," declared Mr.Bearse.