"I never said I was. How was I to know? It was dark. You don't expect
I'd `fox' a feller I see doing a bit of a bear-up to a girl, do you?
It might have been you, for all I knowed. I suppose she's been
talking you round?"

"No, she ain't," said Andy. "But, look here, Dave; I was properly gone
on that girl, I was, and -- and I want to be sure I'm right."

The business was getting altogether too psychological for Dave Bentley.
"You might as well," he rapped out, "call me a liar at once!"

"'Taint that at all, Dave. I want to get at who the feller is;
that's what I want to get at now. Where did you see them, and when?"

"I seen them Anniversary night, along the road, near Ross' farm;
and I seen 'em Sunday night afore that -- in the trees near the old culvert --
near Porter's sliprails; and I seen 'em one night outside Porter's,
on a log near the woodheap. They was thick that time, and bearin' up proper,
and no mistake. So I can swear to her. Now, are you satisfied about her?"

But Andy was wildly pitchforking his thatch under his hat with all ten fingers
and staring at Dave, who began to regard him uneasily;
then there came to Andy's eyes an awful glare, which caused Dave
to step back hastily.

"Good God, Andy! Are yer goin' ratty?"

"No!" cried Andy, wildly.

"Then what the blazes is the matter with you? You'll have rats