{"id":"01KG8AKTS83D3ED8G5WSMWNAC0","cid":"bafkreieno4omeuf3jotrnal46e62c72qutbffgqhywbzjmnzxfgoxmmxha","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":8438,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.153Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","start_line":8368,"text":"advantageous to himself; at times, for the sake of the joke, assuming\r\nairs of superiority over myself, which, though laughable enough, were\r\nsometimes annoying.\r\n\r\nTo tell the plain truth, things at last came to such a pass that I told\r\nhim, up and down, that I had no notion to put up with his pretensions;\r\nif he were going to play the gentleman, I was going to follow suit; and\r\nthen there would quickly be an explosion.\r\n\r\nAt this he laughed heartily; and after some mirthful chat, we resolved\r\nupon leaving the valley as soon as we could do so with a proper regard\r\nto politeness.\r\n\r\nAt supper, therefore, the same evening, the doctor hinted at our\r\nintention.\r\n\r\nThough much surprised, and vexed, Zeke moved not a muscle. “Peter,”\r\nsaid he at last—very gravely—and after mature deliberation, “would you\r\nlike to do the cooking? It’s easy work; and you needn’t do anything\r\nelse. Paul’s heartier; he can work in the field when it suits him; and\r\nbefore long, we’ll have ye at something more agreeable:—won’t we,\r\nShorty?”\r\n\r\nShorty assented.\r\n\r\nDoubtless, the proposed arrangement was a snug one; especially the\r\nsinecure for the doctor; but I by no means relished the functions\r\nallotted to myself—they were too indefinite. Nothing final, however,\r\nwas agreed upon;—our intention to leave was revealed, and that was\r\nenough for the present. But, as we said nothing further about going,\r\nthe Yankee must have concluded that we might yet be induced to remain.\r\nHe redoubled his endeavours to make us contented.\r\n\r\nIt was during this state of affairs that, one morning, before\r\nbreakfast, we were set to weeding in a potato-patch; and the planters\r\nbeing engaged at the house, we were left to ourselves.\r\n\r\nNow, though the pulling of weeds was considered by our employers an\r\neasy occupation (for which reason they had assigned it to us), and\r\nalthough as a garden recreation it may be pleasant enough, for those\r\nwho like it—still, long persisted in, the business becomes excessively\r\nirksome.\r\n\r\nNevertheless, we toiled away for some time, until the doctor, who, from\r\nhis height, was obliged to stoop at a very acute angle, suddenly sprang\r\nupright; and with one hand propping his spinal column, exclaimed, “Oh,\r\nthat one’s joints were but provided with holes to drop a little oil\r\nthrough!”\r\n\r\nVain as the aspiration was for this proposed improvement upon our\r\nspecies, I cordially responded thereto; for every vertebra in my spine\r\nwas articulating in sympathy.\r\n\r\nPresently, the sun rose over the mountains, inducing that deadly\r\nmorning languor so fatal to early exertion in a warm climate. We could\r\nstand it no longer; but, shouldering our hoes, moved on to the house,\r\nresolved to impose no more upon the good-nature of the planters by\r\ncontinuing one moment longer in an occupation so extremely uncongenial.\r\n\r\nWe freely told them so. Zeke was exceedingly hurt, and said everything\r\nhe could think of to alter our determination; but, finding all\r\nunavailing, he very hospitably urged us not to be in any hurry about\r\nleaving; for we might stay with him as guests until we had time to\r\ndecide upon our future movements.\r\n\r\nWe thanked him sincerely; but replied that, the following morning, we\r\nmust turn our backs upon the hills of Martair.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJM11K2YB20W5M6EFZBR2","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKTS8B98CCMMDRGEERD6G","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:17.192Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:30.881Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}