what she says, so long as it's fur
enough away from the truth to sarve her turn. An' she's told pay-tent
double-back-action lies that worked both ways. What do you 'low Jule
Anderson tho't when she hearn tell of your courtin' Betsey, as Betsey
told it, with all her nods an' little crowin'? Now looky here, Gus, I'm
your friend, as the Irishman said to the bar that hugged him, an' I want
to say about all that air that Betsey told you, spit on the slate an'
wipe that all off. They's lie in her soap an.' right smart chance of
saft-soap in her lie, I 'low."

These rough words of Jonas brought a strange intelligence into the mind
of August. He saw so many things in a moment that had lain under his
eyes unnoticed.

"There is much rough wisdom in your speech, Jonas," said Andrew.

"That's a fact. You and me used to go to school to old Benefield
together when I was little and you was growed up. You allers beat
everybody all holler in books and spellin'-matches, Andy. But I 'low I
cut my eye-teeth 'bout as airly as some of you that's got more larnin'
under your skelp. Now, I say to our young friend and feller-citizen,
don't go 'way tell you've spoke a consolin' word to a girl as'll stick
to you tell the hour and article of death, and then remains yours truly
forever, amen."

[Illustration: JONAS.]

"How do you know that, Jonas?" said August, smiling in spite of himself.

"How do I know it? Why, by the testimony of a uncorrupted and
disinterested witness, gentlemen of the jury, if the honorable court
pleases. What did that Jule Anderson do, poor thing, but spend some
time making a most onseasonable visit to Cynthy Ann last night? And I
'low ef there's a ole gal in this sublunary spear as tells the truth in
a bee-line and no nonsense, it's that there same, individooal, identical
Cynthy Ann. She's most afeard to drink cold water or breathe fresh air
fer fear she'll commit a unpard'nable sin. And that persecuted young
pigeon that thought herself forsooken, jest skeeted into Cynthy Ann's
budwoir afore daybreak this mornin' and told her all her sorrows, and
how your letter and your goin' with that Betsey Malcolm"--here August
winced--"had well nigh druv her to run off with the straps and
watch-seals to get rid of you and Betsey and her precious and mighty
affectionate ma."

"But she won't look at me in meeting, and she sent Humphreys to me with
an insulting message."

"Which text divides itself into two parts, my brethren and