But he's been dead for I don't know how long.' "'I know he has.

Do you remember his boy Jim that run away from home ?' "'Let's see,' I says.

'Seems to me I do.

Freckled, red-headed rooster, wa'n't he?
And of all the imps of darkness that ever--' "'S-sh-sh!' he interrupted solemn.

'Don't say that now, Barzilla.