Page:Hell-Bent fer Heaven (Hughes 1924).pdf/96

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Don’t ax me. I ain’t a-carryin’ no tales,

You’ve said enough already. [He makes a move toward ham half angrily, then stops with a puzzled expression.] I cain’t quite make you out, Rufe. I dunno whether you’re a trouble breeder or whether you’re jist teched in the head with religion. But whichever it is, I want you to git this much straight: Me an’ Jude’s a-goin’ to be married, an’ anything I want her to know about them French gals I’ll tell her myself.

I’ve never said I ’us a-goin’ to marry you!

Well, if you’ve got any doubts on the subject I’ll clear ’em up [he glances at significantly] as soon as I have a chance to talk to you by yourself!

You needn’t knock me down with it. I’m perfectly willin’ to give you your chance with Jude. I guess she can jedge whether she could be happy yoked up to a unbeliever.

[He puts on his hat and goes out stiffly.]