Captain Sam rose and, walking over to where his friend sat with his face buried between his hands, laid his own hand on the latter's shoulder.
"There, there, Jed," he said, gently.

"I beg your pardon.

I'm sorry I stirred you up this way.

'Twas mean of me, I know, but when you commenced givin' me all this rigmarole I couldn't help it.
You never was meant for a liar, old man; you make a mighty poor fist at it.

What is it all about?
What was you tryin' to do it for ?" Another groan.