been characteristic.

"I can't stand the wear and tear on my morals," he told Ruth. "I
ain't sold anything, except through the mail, since the winter
really set in. And yet every time that bell rings I find myself
jumpin' up and runnin' to wait on a customer. When it turns out to
be Gabe Bearse or somebody like him I swear, and swearin' to me is
like whiskey to some folks--comfortin' but demoralizin'."

So the bell having been removed, Jed did not hear the person who
came into and through the outer shop. The first sign of that
person's presence which reached his ears was an unpleasant chuckle.
He turned, to see Mr. Phineas Babbitt standing in the doorway of
the inner room. And--this was the most annoying and disturbing
fact connected with the sight--the hardware dealer was not
scowling, he was laughing. The Winslow foot fell to the floor with
a thump and its owner sat up straight.

"He, he, he!" chuckled Phineas. Jed regarded him silently.
Babbitt's chuckle subsided into a grin. Then he spoke.

"Well," he observed, with sarcastic politeness, "how's the great
Shavin's Jedidah, the famous inventor of whirlagigs? He, he, he!"

Jed slowly shook his head. "Phin," he said, "either you wear
rubbers or I'm gettin' deaf, one or the other. How in the world
did you get in here this time without my hearin' you?"

Phineas ignored the question. He asked one of his own. "How's the
only original high and mighty patriot this afternoon?" he sneered.

The Winslow hand caressed the Winslow chin.

"If you mean me, Phin," drawled Jed, "I'm able to sit up and take
nourishment, thank you. I judge you must be kind of ailin',
though. Take a seat, won't you?"

"No, I won't. I've got other fish to fry, bigger fish than you, at
that"

"Um-hm. Well, they wouldn't have to be sperm whales to beat me,
Phin. Be kind of hard to fry 'em if they was too big, wouldn't
it?"

"They're goin' to fry, you hear me. Yes, and they're goin' to
sizzle. He, he, he!"

Mr. Winslow sadly shook his head. "You must be awful sick, Phin,"
he drawled. "That's the third or fourth time you've laughed since
you came in here."

His visitor stopped chuckling and scowled instead. Jed beamed
gratification.

"That's it," he said. "Now you look more natural. Feelin' a
little better . . . eh?"

The Babbitt chin beard bristled. Its wearer leaned forward.

"Shut up," he commanded. "I ain't takin' any of your sass this
afternoon, Shavin's,