Think of it? s’I. I lay it never sawed itself off, s’I — somebody sawed it, s’I; that’s my opinion, take it or leave it, it mayn’t be no ’count, s’I, but sich as ’t is, it’s my opinion, s’I, ’n’ if anybody k’n start a better one, s’I, let him do it, s’I, that’s all. I says to Sister Dunlap, s’I — “

“Why, dog my cats, they must ’a’ ben a house-full o’ niggers in there every night for four weeks to ’a’ done all that work, Sister Phelps.

Look at that shirt — every last inch of it kivered over with secret African writ’n done with blood! Must ’a’ ben a raft uv ’m at it right along, all the time, amost.