"You must 'a' gone at it too rough, Bibbs." He looked upon her wanly.

"That's my trouble, mother," he murmured.

"I'm a plain, blunt fellow.

I have rough ways, and I'm a rough man." For once she perceived some meaning in his queerness.

"Hush your nonsense!" she said, good-naturedly, the astral of a troubled smile appearing.