Another time I remember remember hearing hear him call call the village rat-catcher by saying say , " Come hither , thou three-days-and-three-nights , thou , " alluding allude , as I afterwards learned learn , to the rat-catcher 's periods of intoxication ; but I will tell no more of such trifles .

Though I was angry with old Cotter for alluding allude to me as a child , I puzzled puzzle my head to extract meaning from his unfinished sentences .