she did n't
come out _now_. He says no one knows what it is to begin a thing as you
count on _surely_ havin' stopped 'n' then not be stopped a _tall_. He
says as the sentiments as he begun to get was too awful for any ordinary
words 'n' he would scorn to use the words as could describe 'em even if
he knowed any such. Well, he says, at last, when he was through tyin'
his feet, he turned 'n' looked at the window 'n' if she wa'n't gone to
put up the jars, so he had no choice but to sit there on that cold
ground 'n' wait for her to come back. He said he hoped I 'd never know
what his feelin's was as he waited 'n' then he rubbed his chin with his
hand a long time 'n' said all over again, 'as he waited.' I told him it
was n't likely as I would, 'n' to look out for the cistern or he 'd know
new feelin's 'n' a new kind of waitin', so he had to hitch back by the
table again 'n' then he took a long breath before goin' on to the next
part.

"Well, Mrs. Lathrop, he says when she come back from puttin' up the jars
he jus' could n't but feel as his hour was surely come. He says how he
ever done it he never has seen since, but he took up that noose 'n' put
it over his head. He says as he did so he took a quick look at the
window 'n' seen her lookin', 'n' he says he jus' hoped _surely_ she 'd
give a scream _now_ 'n' come runnin' out the kitchen-door. But he says
she 'd disappointed him so often his heart was like lead, 'n he felt
bluer 'n he 's ever felt any other time in his life. He says he fixed
the noose all smooth around his neck for five minutes or so, 'n' then
there was nothin' in the wide world left for him to do but to take up
that awful sharp hatchet.

"Well, Mrs. Lathrop, I vow I was interested in spite of myself. His
voice shook 'n' his hands too jus' with rememberin'. I really felt to
pity him--I did. He says he lifted the hatchet 'n' looked at the window
tryin' to hope fully 'n' securely as _this_ time she 'd _surely_ come
out screamin' 'n' runnin'. 'N' she never screamed 'n' she never run! Oh,
my, but he says he was tremblin' from head to foot 'n' the cold sweat
jus' poured over him. He says he took up the hatchet 'n' held it
quiverin' in his quiverin' hand, 'n' then he made a weak hack at the
rope as tied the pole to the upright. He says he see her nose in the
window as he hacked 'n' then he says no words can ever describe his
feelin's when he suddenly learned as he 'd cut the rope!--He says he
never had no more idea