“He likes his drop now and then, same as another man.”
“Hasn’t been taking many drops lately, has he?”
“I’m not his guardian. How do I know? Long as he lets me alone.”
Routt grinned. “I heard he didn’t let you alone, day he was inaugurated. Called you a buzzard, didn’t he?”
“The man was drunk.”
“Name’s kind of stuck, though. A darned, rotten thing like that will stick.”
Kite was trying to keep calm, but he was an irascible little man. He snapped at Routt: “What do I care for names? They break no bones.”
“Well, that’s so,” Routt agreed good-naturedly.
“Long as he lets me alone, I’m satisfied,” Kite said again.
Routt nodded. “How long do you figure he’ll let you alone?” he asked.