say, an’ Farwell, he sure had hisn.”

“May I keep these books a short time? I will be very careful of them. You know that, or you would not have shown them to me.”

“You take them as long as you like. Hit ain’t like hit used to be. Books is easy come by these days — too easy, I reckon. Cassandry, she brung a whole basketful of ‘em with her. Thar they be on that cheer behin’ my spinnin’-wheel.”

“Was the basket full of books? So, that was why it was so heavy. Might I have a look at them?”

“Look ‘em ovah all you want to. She won’t keer, I reckon. She hain’t had a mite o’ time since she come home to look at ‘em.”