Mrs.Hobbs said she shouldn't wonder if he knocked my--my head right off." "Knocked your head off! Who ?" "Him." She raised her hand and pointed a shaking finger straight at Captain Shadrach.
All three of her hearers were surprised, of course, but in the case of the Captain himself amazement was coupled with righteous indignation.
"Wha-what ?" he stammered.

"Who said so?
What kind of talk's that?
Said I was goin' to knock your head off?
I was ?" Baxter laughed.

"No, no, Mary-'Gusta," he said; "you're mistaken.

Mrs.
Hobbs couldn't have said any such thing.

You're mistaken, dear." "No, I ain't," with another sob; "she did say so.