said. "Ye'll feel mighty queer when ye stand out thar on the spent
tan, with jes' yer meat on yer bones, an 'look up an' see yer skin
a-hangin' alongside o' the t'other calves, an' sech--that ye will!"

"An' all the mounting folks will be remarkin' on it, too," said
Perkins. Which no doubt they would have done with a lively
interest.

"I reckon," said Byers, looking speculatively at Rufe, "ez't would
take a right smart time fur ye ter git tough enough ter go 'bout in
respect'ble society ag'in. 'T would hurt ye mightily, I'm thinkin'.
Ef I war you-uns, I'd be powerful partic'lar ter keep inside o' sech
an accommodatin'-lookin' little hide ez yourn be fur tanning."

Rufe's countenance was distorted. He seemed about to tune up and
whimper. "An' ef I war you-uns, Andy Byers, I'd find su'thin'
better ter do'n ter bait an' badger a critter the size o' Rufe!"
exclaimed Birt angrily.

"That thar boy's 'bout right, too!" said the man who had hitherto
been standing silent in the door.

"Waal, leave Rufe be, Jubal!" said Byers, laughing. "YE started the
fun."

"Leave him be, yerself," retorted the tanner.

When Birt mounted the mule, and rode out of the yard, he glanced
back and saw that Rufe had approached the shed; judging by his
gestures, he was asking a variety of questions touching the art of