"
"So it's Master Sawyer, is it?" said Strout as he weighed the
saccharine substance. "I thought it was Mister before a man was a
Master."
"I ain't a talkin' about men--he's only a boy, and a mighty smart boy
too."
"I'm tired hearing about him," said Strout. "Can't you give us
something new?"
"Yes, I kin," said Abner. "Boys, I've got something funny to tell
you. I went to Cottonton this afternoon and I'd jest got back when
they sent me for the sugar."
"What ye doin' over there?" asked Benoni.
Abner scratched his head then winked at Benoni.
"I went to buy somethin' for an individual who shall be nameless out
of respect--"
"Go on with your story," shouted Strout. "You'd better hurry home
with that sugar or the 'Master' may make it hot for you."
This remark caused a laugh at Abner's expense.
"Jes' go ahead, Abner," said Benoni, "we're all a-waitin'."
"Well, I met a feller on the train and he buzzed me all the way here.
He wanted to know where I lived, an' when I told him I lived in
Fernborough, that used to be a part of Eastborough, he jest piled me
full of questions. I told him all I knew--"
"An' added a little something" broke in Strout.
"No, I jest stuck close to the truth. He wanted to know about Mr.
Quincy Adams Sawyer. I told him he was dead, but he said he wanted to
know about him when he lived here. Then I told him there was a man in
town who could tell him more'n I could about that, an' I jest giv'
him your name, Obadiah.
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