The profane twist of the old man's defense amused Mrs. Mayfield. And Jim
smiled. It was not only in keeping with the old man's half innocent
character--it was the honest spurt of sinful Adam, remaining with the
most of us--which the devout preacher may deplore for the sake of
example and yet inwardly accept because he is human. I am told that
there are languages that hold no profanity and we know that there are
tongues too delicate for philosophy and too gentle for blank verse.

"Now what do you want to pester a body thatter way for?" Margaret
rejoined, thankful that Mrs. Mayfield had not been shocked. "I never
seed a body that could be so aggrivatin'. Miz Mayfield, don't pay no
'tention to him when he talks thatter way, fur when he wants to he kin
be right bright.

"Oh, I understand him, Mrs. Starbuck," and then of Jasper she inquired:
"How far is it to the post office?"

"A little the rise of three mile. As soon as I git this gear in shape
I'll have Kintchin hitch up and drive a passel of you over thar. I
reckon we've got one of the smartest post-masters in the country. I've
seed him rip open many a man's letter an' read it off just like print.
Here, Kintchin! Kintchin! That nigger's asleep somewhar. One of these
days somebody will fill him so full of lead you couldn't turn him over
with a hand spike." Kintchin appeared at the door, stretching himself
and rubbing his eyes. "What have you been doin'?"

"Who, me?"

"Yes, you."

"Wall, suh, I ain't been ersleep ef dat whut you means."

"Then why didn't you answer me?"

"W'y, suh, I had my min' flung down on er 'ligious subjeck an' it wuz
all I coul' do ter t'ar it off."

"Ah, thought I hearn suthin' rip like a piece of tent cloth," and giving
Kintchin the harness he continued: "Here, hitch up old Dick and drive
these folks over to the post office."

"Yas, suh."

"And when you come back you can break that young steer."

"Yas, suh, break de steer."

"And when you get the steer broke," said Margaret, "I want you to make
me an ash hopper."

"Yas'm," replied the old negro, looking at her and then at Starbuck.

"And then," said Jasper, "I want you to hive the bees."

"And then," Margaret spoke up, "you may fix the loom."

"Yas'm, fix de loom."

"When that is done," said Starbuck, "you may rive some clap-boards to
cover the spring house."

"Yas, suh, ter kiver de spring house;" and scratching his head he stood
for a moment as if in deep thought. "An' lo