“Still, I should feel that I was running away.”
“That’s better than having your head broken. If you stay here and wait for Sam Hooker, you won’t play to-night.”
“Think not?”
“I know it. He’ll put you out of shape. They say he knocked down old Dorman’s bull with one blow of his fist.”
“I have heard of such things being done,” said Frank, still without showing alarm; “but I’ve never happened to see anybody do it yet.”
“I know he broke one of Mose Herrick’s ribs with a blow.”
“Well, I shall do my best not to let Mr. Sam Hooker hit me in that manner. That is all.”
“If you do your best, you will get out and go to the hotel. If he comes there you’ll have somebody tell him you have gone somewhere else.”
Frank laughed.
“Just keep that stage door wide open,” he directed. “I threw Joe Hooker down those stairs, and it may happen that his brother will take the same sort of tumble. Go on putting the stuff in, and don’t worry about me.”