"He's hunting our bay mare. It broke out of the barn this morning. I
told him that I wouldn't disappoint Alviry for an ark full of bay
mares. I knew she would count on me to help her entertain you
gentlemen."
"I hope your husband will find his mare," said Ajax. "We lost fifteen
fat steers once, but we never found them."
"That's so," observed Mr. Swiggart. "And I wore myself out a-hunting
'em. They was stolen--sure."
"The wickedness of some folk passes my understanding," remarked Mrs.
Tapper. "Well, we're told that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
but--good Land!--Job never lived in this State."
"He'd been more to home in New England," said Laban slily. The Skenks
were from Massachusetts, the Swiggarts from Illinois.
"There's a pit digged for such," continued Mrs. Tapper, ignoring the
interruption, "a pit full o' brimstone and fire. Yes, sister, I will
take one more slice of the ham. I never ate sweeter meat. Eastern, I
presume, my dear?"
"No, sister. Laban cured that ham. Pork-packing was his trade back
east."
Laban added: "Boys, I hope ye like that ham. I've a reason for
asking.
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