When I got home I found
my old daddy setting up afo' the fire, and he says, 'You come
away early, son.' I told him what Dave Blount had called me and
he says, 'You acted like a gentleman, Bob, with all them
womenfolks about."'
"You had a very good and sensible father, Mr. Yancy. How much
better than if--" began Mrs. Ferris, who feared that the moral
might elude him.
"Yes, ma'am, but along about day he come into the loft where I
was sleeping and says to me, 'Sun-up, Bob--time fo' you to haul
on yo' pants and go back yonder and fetch that Dave Blount a
smack in the jaw.'" Mrs. Ferris moved uneasily in her chair: "I
dressed and come here, but when I asked fo' Dave he wouldn't step
outside, so I just lost patience with his foolishness and took a
crack at him standing where I'm standing now, but he ducked and
you can still see, ma'am"--turning to the embarrassed Mrs.
Ferris--"where my knuckles made a dint in the door-jamb. I got
him the next lick, though!"
Mr. Yancy's moral tale had reached its conclusion; it was not for
him to boast unduly of his prowess.
"Uncle Bob, you lift me up and show me them dints!" and Hannibal
slipped from his seat.
"Oh, no!" said Betty Malroy laughing. She captured the boy and
drew him down beside her on a corner of her chair. "I am sure
you don't want to see the dents--Mr. Yancy's story, children, is
to teach us how important it is to guard our words--and not give
way to hasty speech--"
"Betty!" cried Mrs.
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