“The n-number of subscriptions got by the Lit’ry Circlers is four hunderd and f-f-forty-six,” says he.
There was yells and stamping, but all of a sudden they stopped, and somebody yelled, “What’s that?”
“It’s a tie,” says Mark. “B-both got the s-same number.”
For a minute folks jest looked at one another, and then Mrs. Strubber and Mrs. Bobbin jumped to their feet and began talking at once. I could catch sich words as “cheat,” and “put-up job,” and “crooked,” and like that.
“L-ladies,” says Mark, “you’ve kept count of how many subscriptions you got, hain’t you?”
“Yes,” says both of ’em.
“What’s your count, Mrs. Strubber?” says he.
“We got the number you said, but they never did. Our number is right. But them wimmin—why, we must ’a’ beat ’em by fifty.”
“Mis’ Bobbin,” says Mark, “how do you make your c-count?”
“We make it same as yourn for us,” says she, “but them Lit’ry Circlers didn’t come within ninety of us. I know,” says she.