"Here we are." The man with the apron took a big nickel watch from the upper pocket of his vest, looked at it, and shook his head.

Upon his face, which was long and thin like the rest of him, there was a grieved expression.
"A little mite late, ain't we, Isaiah ?" said Zoeth, hastily.

"Hope we ain't kept supper waitin' too long ?" The tall man returned the watch to the pocket.
"Only twenty-three minutes, that's all," he drawled, with the resignation of a martyr.

"Twenty-three minutes ain't much in a lifetime, maybe--but it don't help fried potatoes none.

Them potatoes was ready at half-past five." "Well, 'tain't six yet," protested Captain Shad.
"Maybe 'tain't, but it's twenty-three minutes later'n half-past five.
Last thing you said to me was, 'Have supper ready at half-past five!' I had it ready.