“ Thirty-seven year ⁠—and he come out in China. That’s the kind. I wish the bottom of this fortress was solid rock.”

“ Jim don’t know nobody in China.”

“What’s that got to do with it? Neither did that other fellow. But you’re always a-wandering off on a side issue. Why can’t you stick to the main point?”

“All right⁠—I don’t care where he comes out, so he comes out; and Jim don’t, either, I reckon. But there’s one thing, anyway⁠—Jim’s too old to be dug out with a case-knife. He won’t last.”