You spoke of a surprise, didn't you?
I've had one surprise this afternoon that's liable to stay with me for a spell.

I'm an unsuspectin' critter, generally speakin', but after that--Say, you ain't got a brass band nor fireworks hitched to THIS chair, have you ?" Judge Baxter laughed heartily.

"No," he said, as soon as he could speak.
"No, Captain, my furniture isn't loaded." The Captain shook his head.

"Whew!" he whistled, sitting down gingerly in the armchair.

"Well, that's a mercy.