but-but-why

Updated: May 12, 2025

"Well," said Uncle Abel, "why didn't she get the writin's as I told her? It's to be hoped she won't make such a fool of herself next time." Half an hour later, or thereabouts, Mary sat on Bertha Buckolt's bed, with Bertha beside her and Bertha's arm round her, and they were crying and laughing by turns. "But-but-why didn't you tell me it was Jim?" said Mary.

Henry Lawson - Children of the Bush