"When she was er playin' one day," prompted Diddie.

"Oh yes," continued Dumps, "when she was er playin' one day on the side
uv the creek with her little sister, she got ter fightin' an' pinchin'
an' scrougin', an' the fus thing she knowed, she fell kersplash in the
creek, and got drownded. An' one time her mammy tol' 'er not nuber ter
clim' up on the fender, an' she neber min' 'er, but clum right upon the
fender ter git an apple off'n the mantel-piece; an' the fender turned
over, an' she fell in the fire an' burnt all up. An' another time, jes
er week after that, she was er foolin' 'long--"

"Dumps, what are you talkin' 'bout?" again interrupted Diddie. "She
couldn't be er foolin' long o' nothin' ef she's dead."

"But she ain't dead, Diddie," persisted Dumps.

"Well, you said the fire burned her up," retorted Diddie.

"I don't care ef hit did," said Dumps; "she nuver died bout hit; an' ef
you're goin' ter keep sayin' she's dead, then I sha'n't tell yer no
mo'."

"Go on, then," said Diddie, "and I won't bother you."

"Well, one time," continued Dumps, "when she was er foolin' 'long o'
cow, what she had no business, the cow run his horns right through her
neck, an' throwed her way-ay-ay up yon'er; an' she nuver come down no
mo', an' that's all."

"But, Dumps, what become of her?" asked Diddie.