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The Gray Wolf's Ha'nt  165

"Why in the world, Julius," I asked, "did n't you keep the umbrella up until you got under cover?"
"It's bad luck, suh, ter raise a' umbrella in de house, en w'iles I dunno whuther it's bad luck ter kyar one inter de piazzer er no, I 'lows it's alluz bes' ter be on de safe side. I did n' s'pose you en young missis 'u'd be gwine on yo' dribe ter-day, but bein' ez it's my pa't ter take you ef you does, I 'lowed I'd repo't fer dooty, en let you say whuther er no you wants ter go."
"I'm glad you came, Julius," I responded. "We don't want to go driving, of course, in the rain, but I should like to consult you about another matter. I'm thinking of taking in a piece of new ground. What do you imagine it would cost to have that neck of woods down by the swamp cleared up?"
The old man's countenance assumed an expression of unwonted seriousness, and he shook his head doubtfully.