“Penrod,” he began, “I got to—”
Penrod removed the horn briefly from his lips.
“Don't come bangin' around here and interrup' me all the time,” he said severely. “I got to practice.”
And he again pressed the mouthpiece to his lips. He was not of those whom importance makes gracious.
“Look here, Penrod,” said Roddy, “I got to have that horn back.”
Penrod lowered the horn quickly enough at this.
“What you talkin' about?” he demanded. “What you want to come bangin' around here for and—”
“I came around here for that horn,” Master Bitts returned, and his manner was both dogged and apprehensive, the apprehension being more prevalent when he looked at Sam. “I got to have that horn,” he said.
Sam, who had been sitting in the wheelbarrow, jumped up and began to dance triumphantly.
“Yay! It WASN'T his, after all! Roddy Bitts told a big l—”