“Hi say, Buck’art,” he said, “what is the longest word hin the Henglish language. Give hit up?”
“I reckon I’ll have to, William,” said the Texan. “What is the longest word?”
He looked at Billy in such a way that the Cockney youth was confused and stammered:
“Hit—hit’s giggles. Hif you don’t believe hit, just spell between the first hand last letters hand you’ll find a mile. ’Ow his that?”
The Texan looked Billy over.
“Whatever kind of loco-weed have you been eating?” he exclaimed. “You’re plumb loony for sure.”
Then he strode away, leaving Billy scratching his head and looking extremely puzzled and bewildered.
Ted Smart was enjoying this hugely. He approached Billy and spoke to him. Bradley glared at Ted.
“What is the matter with your blawsted blooming old joke?” he ripped out hotly.
“Eh?” said Ted, in apparent surprise. “What’s the matter? Why?”