ABSTRACT
The Newfoundland setting is emphasized in the references to the punch (puncheon) of molasses, and the local color is strengthened by such linguistic usages as the reflexive hisself, die elision in th' attic, the loss of initial vowel in 'twouldn't, and the past tense hod (hid). The vigor and economy of the narration are seen especially in the final few lines, the exclamatory “Whop!” being said very loudly, accompanied by the teller banging his hand on the table for dramatic effect.
