It was not until nine o'clock that evening, when supper was over and Zoeth, having locked up the store, was with them in the sitting-room, that the hitherto secretive fowl came off the nest.
Then Shadrach, having given his partner a look and received one in return, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Mary-'Gusta," he said, "me and your Uncle Zoeth have got some news for you.

I cal'late you've been wonderin' a little mite what that business of Mr.Keith's and mine was, ain't you ?" Mary-'Gusta smiled.

"I have wondered--just a little," she observed, with mild sarcasm.
"Yes--yes, I ain't surprised.

Well, the business is done and it's settled, and it's about you." "About me?
Why, Uncle Shad! How can it be about me ?" "'Cause it can and it is, that's why.

Mary-'Gusta, me and Zoeth have been thinkin' about you a good deal lately and we've come to the conclusion that we ain't treated you just right." "Haven't treated me right?
YOU ?" "Yes, us.