CHAPTER XV.
THE CHURCH OF THE BEST LICKS.
Just as the flame on the forestick, which Ralph had watched so intensely, flickered and burned low, and just as Ralph with a heavy but not quite hopeless heart rose to leave, the latch lifted and Bud re-entered.
"I wanted to say something," he stammered, "but you know it's hard to say it.

I ha'n't no book-larnin to speak of, and some things is hard to say when a man ha'n't got book-words to say 'em with.

And they's some things a man can't hardly ever say anyhow to anybody." Here Bud stopped.

But Ralph spoke in such a matter-of-course way in reply that he felt encouraged to go on.
"You gin up Hanner kase you thought she belonged to me.

That's more'n I'd a done by a long shot.