Air ye gittin' sick agin?

Well, I hain't feelin' much peert, Steve."

Take keer o' yourself, boy. Don't git sick now. We'll have to
watch Eli Crump purty close. I don't know why I hain't killed thet
spyin' skunk long ago, 'ceptin' I never had a shore an' sartin reason
fer doin 'it.

Isom started to speak then and stopped. He would learn more first;
and he let Steve go on home unwarned.

The two kept silence after Marcum had gone. Isom turned away
from old Gabe, and stretched himself out on the platform. He
looked troubled. The miller, too, was worried.

Jus' a hole in the groun'," he said, half to himself; "that's whut
we're all comm' to! 'Pears like we mought help one 'nother to keep
out'n hit, 'stid o' holpin' 'em in."

Brown shadows were interlacing out in the mill-pond, where old
Gabe's eyes were intent. A current of cool air had started down the
creek to the river. A katydid began to chant. Twilight was
coming, and the miller rose.

"Hit's a comfort to know you won't be mixed up in all this
devilment," he said; and then, as though he had found more light in
the gloom: "Hit's a comfort to know the new rider air shorely
a-preachin' the right doctrine, 'n' I want ye to go hear him. Blood