"To be chucked into a hole like a dead cat, by a cunning old wool
head, was more'n mortal man could bear," he said, "and he didn't know
why he shouldn't knock out his black brains, on the spot."

"You can try de 'speriment, if you please," said Primus, cooly, "and
when dey is knock out, I advise you to gadder dem up for you own use."

"You're a saacy nigger," said Basset, "and if I sarved you right, I'd
clap you into the workhouse."

"Missa Basset, you bery mad; and when a man is mad, he always
onreasonable. But fire away--it keep you warm, and stop you catching
cold."

"Onreasonable! when a fellow's been sprawling about in snow and
cornstalks, for more'n two hours, and got more'n half froze! How would
you like it?"

"If Missa Basset chase Missa Holden, in de moonlight, and fall into a
hole, is I to blame?"

"I don't believe it was Holden. I believe it was all a plan between
you and some other fellow to git me into the scrape. Come, now,
Prime," he said, moderating his voice into a less ill-natured tone,
"tell us, and I'll let you off this time."

"O, Lord!" exclaimed Primus, lifting up his hands, with open palms,
and rolling up his eyes towards the moon, "de man is crazy wid de
fright, and he see Missa Holden, too, widin two tree feet."