"It ain't no use.

I 'most wish I was a eel!" Dabney was on the point of opening a whole broadside of eloquence, when Ford Foster pinched his arm, and whispered,-- "Your mother's coming, and our Annie's with her." "Then let's clear out.

She's worth a ten-acre lot full of us.

Come on, boys!" If Mrs.Lee was surprised by their very sudden and somewhat unceremonious retreat, she need not have been, after she learned the cause of it.

She stood in wholesome awe of Mrs.Kinzer; and a "brush" with the portly widow, re-enforced by the sweet face of Annie Foster, was a pretty serious matter.
She did not hesitate about beginning the skirmish, however; for her tongue was already a bit loosened, and in fine working-order.
"Wot's dis yer, Mrs.Kinzer, 'bout sendin' away my Dick to a furrin 'Cad'my?
Isn't he 'most nigh nuff spiled a'ready ?" "Oh! it's all arranged nicely.