I know now how the surgeon must feel at the crucial moment of his accomplished operation.

Will the patient live or die?
The road-worker drew a long breath as he came out from under the anesthetic.
"I guess, partner," said he, "you're trying to put a stone or two in my ruts!" I had him! "Exactly," I exclaimed eagerly.
We both paused.

He was the first to speak--with some embarrassment: "Say, you're just like a preacher I used to know when I was a kid.

He was always sayin' things that meant something else and when you found out what he was drivin' at you always felt kind of queer in your insides." I laughed.
"It's a mighty good sign," I said, "when a man begins to feel queer in the insides.

It shows that something is happening to him." With that we walked back to the road, feeling very close and friendly--and shovelling again, not saying much.