'Feel kind o' wopsy after thet squabble.' They soon went away.

And when Mose told the story of 'the swallered pole' he got the same sort of reputation he had given to others.

Only it was real and large and lasting.
'Wha' d' ye think uv it ?' he asked, when he had finished.
'Wall,' said Ransom Walker, 'wouldn't want t' say right out plain t' yer face.' ''Twouldn't he p'lite,' said Uncle Eb soberly.
'Sound a leetle ha'sh,' Tip Taylor added.
'Thet fish has jerked the fear o' God out o' ye--thet's the way it looks t' me,' said Carlyle Barber.
'Yer up 'n the air, Mose,' said another.

'Need a sinker on ye.' They bullied him--they talked him down, demurring mildly, but firmly.
'Tell ye what I'll do,' said Mose sheepishly, 'I'll b'lieve you fellers if you'll b'lieve me.' 'What, swop even?
Not much!' said one, with emphasis.

''Twouldn't be fair.