"But would you believe it!" (addressing the general group) "this
ridiculous fellow kindly offered to see me up the hill and gossip along
the way--gossip! though he refused point-blank to come in and watch the
rehearsal. But when he found there wasn't to be any, he changed about
like a weather-vane. So here he is, claiming to have been away to Miller
Creek; but between ourselves there is no telling what dark deeds--"
"Dark deeds! Look!" Frona broke in, pointing to the tip of an amber
mouth-piece which projected from Vance's outside breast-pocket. "A pipe!
My congratulations."
She held out her hand and he shook good-humoredly.
"All Del's fault," he laughed. "When I go before the great white throne,
it is he who shall stand forth and be responsible for that particular
sin."
"An improvement, nevertheless," she argued. "All that is wanting is a
good round swear-word now and again."
"Oh, I assure you I am not unlearned," he retorted. "No man can drive
dogs else. I can swear from hell to breakfast, by damn, and back again,
if you will permit me, to the last link of perdition. By the bones of
Pharaoh and the blood of Judas, for instance, are fairly efficacious with
a string of huskies; but the best of my dog-driving nomenclature, more's
the pity, women cannot stand. I promise you, however, in spite of hell
and high water--"
"Oh! Oh!" Mrs.
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