I want to put 'em on before I get dinner." "I ain't heard nothin' about apples, mother." "Ain't you pared any apples this forenoon ?" "I didn't know as you wanted any pared, mother." Deborah turned fiercely on Ephraim.
"Ephraim Thayer, look here!" said she.

Ephraim turned his poor blue face slowly; his breath came shortly between his parted lips; he clapped one hand to his side.

"Didn't you tell your father to pare them apples, the way I told you to ?" she demanded.
Ephraim dropped his chin lower.
"Answer me!" "No, ma'am." "What have you been a-doin' of ?" "Playin'." "Playin' what ?" "Holly-gull." Deborah stood quite still for a moment.

Her mouth tightened; she grew quite pale.

Ephraim and Caleb watched her.