Page:Hell-Bent fer Heaven (Hughes 1924).pdf/152

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You don’t have to tell me that. I know you’re a-goin’ to send me to hell the short way. But I don’t want you to make no mistake about one thing: when I go I’ll go a-standin’ up on my hind legs. I won’t go a-crawlin’ ner a-whinin’ fer mercy. [Glancing at and  again] To the best o’ my knowledge an’ belief, I didn’t kill Sid. That’s the truth. [He turns to belligerently] But I tried my dammedest to kill him! An’ that’s the truth, too!

[Accusingly]

What ’d you have ag’in’ him?

[Enigmatically, after a brief silence]

He turned his toes out too fur when he walked.

[ and turn away angrily.]

[Restraining himself with difficulty]

Is that the best reason you can think of?

It’s good enough, ain’t it?