janet hobson bid me come and sit , and offered me supper , and there was joe shoutin ' that he 'd take the price of the land out of howard travers 's hide , and hugh slumped down like a trampled dog , and his wife greetin ' , and the weans all squealin ' for their dinners like a brood o ' piglets , and ... well , i thought of telling them , but then ... '' he shook his head , as though confused anew .