"You have?" he cried, raising his voice almost to a scream.

"Yes, I have. What's it matter to you, Phin Babbitt? Seems to
have het you up some, that or somethin' else."

"Het me up! By--" Mr. Phineas Babbitt swore steadily for a full
minute. When he stopped for breath Jed Winslow, who had stepped
over and was looking out of the window, uttered an observation.

"I'm afraid I made a mistake, changin' that sign," he said,
musingly. "I cal'late I'll make another: 'Prayer meetin's must be
held outside.'"

"By--," began Mr. Babbitt again, but this time it was Captain Sam
who interrupted. The captain occasionally swore at other people,
but he was not accustomed to be sworn at. He, too, began to "heat
up." He rose to his feet.

"That'll do, Babbitt," he commanded. "What's the matter with you?
Is it me you're cussin'? Because if it is--"

The little Babbitt eyes snapped defiance.

"If it is, what?" he demanded. But before the captain could reply
Winslow, turning away from the window, did so for him.

"If it is, I should say 'twas a pretty complete job," he drawled.
"I don't know when I've heard fewer things left out. You have
reason to be proud, both of you. And now, Phineas," he went on,
"what's it all about? What's the matter?"