Alone, and without hounds as he was, the question was rather a silly
one; but it answered the purpose for which it was put, which was only to
draw him into conversation, and I proceeded to make as decent a retreat
as I could.

"I didn't know," said I, "but that you were going to meet the huntsmen,
or going to your stand."

"Ah, sure enough," rejoined he, "that _mout_ be a bee, as the old woman
said when she killed a wasp. It seems to me I ought to know you."

"Well, if you _ought_, why _don't_ you?"

"What _mout_ your name be?"

"It _might_ be anything," said I, with a borrowed wit, for I knew my man
and knew what kind of conversation would please him most.

"Well, what _is_ it, then?"

"It _is_ Hall," said I; "but you know it might as well have been
anything else."

"Pretty digging!" said he. "I find you're not the fool I took you to be;
so here's to a better acquaintance with you."

"With all my heart," returned I; "but you must be as clever as I've
been, and give me your name."

"To be sure I will, my old coon; take it, take it, and welcome. Anything