“You shut up,” commanded Huldah quickly, “and let me talk.”
“No,” I intercepted, “I’d really be interested in hearing what he told Uncle Issachar. What was it, Demetrius, that your great-uncle said to you?”
“He said,” stated the imp, darting his tongue out in triumph at his victory over Huldah, “that he always thought you was a stiff.”
“He didn’t say nothing of the kind!” declared Huldah. “He said you was stiff-necked, and that he presumed you would act more like a stepfather than the real thing. Well, as I was saying, he asked their names, and he liked them fine. Said they were so classy.”
“Didn’t he say classic, Huldah?” inquired Rob.
“Mebby. What’s the difference?” snapped Huldah.
“None,” I assured her quickly, dodging a definition.
“She told him––” began Emerald.
“You shut up,” again adjured Huldah, “or I’ll never bake you one of those small pies no more.”