“Well, that’s infernal mean. Odd, too. Say, boy, what’s the matter with your father?”
“It’s the — a — the — well, it ain’t anything much.”
They stopped pulling. It warn’t but a mighty little ways to the raft now. One says:
“Boy, that’s a lie. What IS the matter with your pap? Answer up square now, and it’ll be the better for you.”
“I will, sir, I will, honest — but don’t leave us, please. It’s the — the — Gentlemen, if you’ll only pull ahead, and let me heave you the headline, you won’t have to come a-near the raft — please do.”