I'll be up to the auction by
half-past two, so you needn't worry, it'll be jest the same as though
yer had the money in yer hand."
Strout looked a little disturbed; but thinking the matter over quickly,
he decided that he had nothing to gain by arguing the question with the
Deacon; so saying, "Be sure and be on hand, Deacon, for it's a sure
thing my gettin' that store, if I have the cash to pay down," he left
the house.
He went up the hill and turned the corner on the way back to his
boarding house. When he got out of sight of the Deacon's house he
stopped, clenched his hands, shut his teeth firmly together and stamped
his foot on the ground; then he ejaculated in a savage whisper, "Women
are wussern catamounts; you know which way a catamount's goin' to jump.
I wonder whether she was honest about that, or whether she's been
foolin' me all this time; she'll be a sorry girl when I git that store
and 'lected tax collector, and git app'inted postmaster. I've got three
tricks left, ef I have lost two. I wonder who it was put that idea into
the Deacon's head not ter let me have thet money till the sale was over.
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