an' in ten minutes they was stretched
out on Nance's bed an' Nance was
a-lopin' away fer the yarb doctor.

The gal nussed 'em both plum faithful.
Rich didn't hev much to say, an'
Harve didn't hev much to say. Nance
was sorter quiet, an' Nance's mammy,
ole Nance, jes grinned. Folks come in
to ax atter 'em right peart. Abe Shivers
come cl'ar 'cross the river--powerful
frien'ly--an' ever' time Nance ud walk
out to the fence with him. One time
she didn't come back, an' ole Nance
fotched the boys thar dinner, an' ole
Nance fotched thar supper, an' then
Rich he axed whut was the matter
with young Nance. An' ole Nance jes
snorted. Atter a while Rich says:
``Harve,'' says he, ``who tol' you that
I said that word agin you an' Nance?''
``Abe Shivers,'' says Harve. ``An' who
tol' you,'' says Harve, ``that I said that
word agin Nance an' YOU?'' ``Abe Shivers,''
says Rich. An' both says, ``Well,
damn me!'' An' Rich tu'ned right
over an' begun pullin' straws out'n the
bed. He got two out, an' he bit one
off, an' he says: ``Harve,'' says he, ``I
reckon we better draw fer him. The