won't let nobody cut me out without givin'
'em the best thrashin' it's in these 'ere arms to give."

"But I haven't tried to cut you out."

"You can't fool _me_."

"Bud, listen to me, and then thrash me if you will. I went with that
girl once. When I found you had some claims, I gave her up. Not because
I was afraid of you, for I would rather have taken the worst thrashing
you can give me than give her up. But I haven't spoken to her since the
night of the first spelling-school."

"You lie!" said Bud, doubling his fists.

Ralph grew red.

"You was a-waitin' on her last Sunday right afore my eyes, and a-tryin'
to ketch my attention too. So when you're ready say so."

"Bud, there is some misunderstanding." Hartsook spoke slowly and felt
bewildered. "I tell you that I did not speak to Hannah last Sunday, and
you know I didn't."

"Hanner!" Bud's eyes grew large. "Hanner!" Here he gasped for breath,
and looked around, "Hanner!" He couldn't get any further than the name
at first. "Why, plague take it, who said Hanner?"

"Mirandy said you were courting Hannah," said Ralph, feeling round in a
vague way to get his ideas together.

"Mirandy! Thunder! You believed Mirandy! Well! Now, looky here, Mr.
Hartsook, ef you was to say that my sister lied, I'd lick you till yer
hide wouldn't hold shucks. But _I_ say, a-twix you and me and the
gate-post, don't you never believe nothing that Mirandy Means says. Her
and marm has set theirselves like fools to git you. Hanner! Well, she's
a mighty nice gal, but you're welcome to _her_. I never tuck no shine
that air way. But I was out of school last Thursday and Friday
a-shucking corn to take to mill a-Saturday. And when I come past the
Squire's and seed you talking to a gal as is a gal, you know"--here Bud
hesitated and looked foolish--"I felt hoppin' mad."

Bud put on his coat.

Ralph put on his coat.

Then they shook hands and Bud went out. Ralph sat looking into the fire.
There was no conscientious difficulty now in the way of his claiming
Hannah. The dry forestick lying on the rude stone andirons burst into a
blaze. The smoldering hope In the heart of Ralph Hartsook did the same.
He could have Hannah If he could win her. But there came slowly back the
recollection of his lost standing in Flat Creek. There was
circumstantial evidence against him. It was evident that Hannah believed
something of this. What other stones Small might have put in circulation
he did not know. Wo