said Pa Sloane insinuatingly . `` S'pose I 'd better drive up to Carmody this afternoon and get some more . '' `` There 's a good half-gallon of molasses in the jug yet , '' said ma Sloane ruthlessly . `` That so ? Well , I noticed the kerosene demijohn was n't very hefty the last time I filled the can . Reckon it needs replenishing . '' `` We have kerosene enough to do for a fortnight yet . '' Ma continued to eat her dinner with an impassive face , but a twinkle made itself apparent in her eye . Lest Pa should see it , and feel encouraged thereby , she looked immovably at her plate . Pa Sloane sighed . His invention was giving out . `` Did n't I hear you say day before yesterday that you were out of nutmegs ? '' he queried , after a few moments ' severe reflection . `` I got a supply of them from the egg-pedlar yesterday , '' responded Ma , by a great effort preventing the twinkle from spreading over her entire face . She wondered if this third failure would squelch Pa. . But Pa was not to be squelched . `` Well , anyway , '' he said , brightening up under the influence of a sudden saving inspiration . `` I 'll have to go up to get the sorrel mare shod . So , if you 've any little errands you want done at the store , Ma , just make a memo of them while I hitch up . '' The matter of shoeing the sorrel mare was beyond Ma 's province , although she had her own suspicions about the sorrel mare 's need of shoes .
`` Why ca n't you give up beating XXXXX the bush , Pa ? ''
about after although beyond by for of to while with