'Twas either that or starve.

I ain't a fault-finder, generally speakin', but I have to eat, same as other folks." His partner paid not the least attention.

His first remark was in the form of a question addressed to Mr.Chase.
"Look here, Isaiah," he demanded, "did I understand you to say that Mary-'Gusta was with you when that sculpin come to borrow my gun ?" "Yup.

She was here." "And she knew that he was goin' to shoot a cat with it ?" "Sartin, she heard him say so." Shadrach strode to the mantel, took from it a hand-lamp, lighted the lamp and with it in his hand walked from the room and ascended the stairs.

Zoeth called after him, but he did not answer.
He entered Mary-'Gusta's room.