"be-yutiful!"

"They've added a fancy porch," Henry explained, "and are gittin' blue
glass panes for the front door."

"We've three spring-beds in town now," put in Isaac in his slow, dreamy
way. "If I mind right the Spikers bought theirs before war was
declared, so you've seen that one. Well, Piney Martin he has got him
one--let me see--when did he git it, Henery?"

Old Holmes furrowed his brow and closed one eye, seeking with the other
the inspiration of the sky.

"July sixth," he answered. "Don't you mind, Ike, it come the same day
and on the wery same stage as the news of the sinkin' of the Spaynish
fleet?"

"Nonsense," retorted Isaac. "You're allus mixin' dates, Henery.
You're thinkin' of Tip Pulsifer's last baby. He come July six, for
don't you mind how they called him Cevery out of pity and generosity
for the Spayniards? Piney's spring-bed arrived the same day and on the
same stage as brung us the news of Mark here havin' his left leg shot
off."

"Mebbe--mebbe--mebbe," muttered Henry, shaking his head dubiously. "It
certainly do beat all how things happens all at once in this world.
Come to think of it, the wery next day six of my sheep was killed by
dogs."

"It's good you're gittin' your dates cleared," snapped old Bolum. "On