290 WHEAT AND WOMAN 



*' understand that I will not have you give way to 

 that disgusting habit in the house." 



" Which ? Chewin' ? " 



" No, spitting ; but either is disgusting." 



*' If a fellow chews he's got to do the other, I 

 guess. Boys Alive ! Can't quit chewin'." 



" You can go outside when you require to do the 

 other." 



From that hour he left the table several times 

 during a meal with the preface of " Scuse me." 

 " Boys Alive ! Handy things them verandeys," was 

 always his tribute on his return. 



Before he had been with me a week, my brother 

 came down to borrow Kitty and Jim to put in his 

 crop of oats. I knew I ought not to spare them, 

 but there were none that we could hire, and there 

 was no way out of it. Adam was by way of sulking 

 at the horses being taken away, and I sharply 

 reprimanded him for a remark he had made over it. 

 *' No offence," said he. " I was only having a laugh. 

 Boys Alive ! I guess a fellow's got to put up with a 

 lot from a woman boss." 



I thought that the time of my brother's visit 

 would be an excellent opportunity to kill a pig. 

 It was already getting late because they should 

 never be killed during the season of thunderstorm 

 or in excessive heat, as it is most difficult, even with 

 the greatest care, to get through the pickling process 

 in time to avoid any risk of loss of meat. My 

 brother never hesitated to refuse to kill himself, 

 but he said if Adam could do the act, and the pig 

 wasn't so very big he could assist. 



" Can you kill a pig, Adam ? " I inquired. " If 

 not, it must be sent to the butcher. But I don't 



