But for a minute no one thinks mebby little Danny has been egged on to tell lies. Little Danny ain't saying a word. But Elmira she grabs me and shakes me and she says:     

       "You little liar, you, what do you mean by that tale you told?"     

       I thinks that lamming is about due now. But whilst all eyes is turned on me and Elmira, they comes a voice from that cistern. It is Hank's voice, and he sings out:     

       "Tom Alexander, is that you?"     

       Some of the women scream, for some thinks it is Hank's ghost. But one woman says what would a ghost be doing in a cistern?     

       Tom Alexander, he laughs and he says:     

       "What in blazes you want to jump in there fur, Hank?"     

       "You dern ijut!" says Hank, "you quit mocking me and get a ladder, and when I get out'n here I'll learn you to ast what did I want to jump in here fur!"     

       "You never seen the day you could do it," says Tom Alexander, meaning the day he could lick him. "And if you feel that way about it you can stay there fur all of me. I guess a little water won't hurt you none." And he left the house.     

       "Elmira," sings out Hank, mad and bossy, "you go get me a ladder!"     

       But Elmira, her temper riz up too, all of a sudden.     

       "Don't you dare order me around like I was the dirt under your feet, Hennerey Walters," she says.     

       At that Hank fairly roared, he was so mad. He says:     

       "Elmira, when I get out'n here I'll give you what you won't fergit in a hurry. I hearn you a-forgiving me and a-weeping over me, and I won't be forgive nor weeped over by no one! You go and get that ladder."     

       But Elmira only answers:     

       "You wasn't sober when you fell into there, Hennerey Walters. And now you can jest stay in there till you get a better temper on you!" And all the women says: "That's right, Elmira; spunk up to him!"     

       They was considerable splashing around in the water fur 

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