“Come on away from here,” says I to Mark. “He may take it into his head to wallop us.”
Mark just grinned.
“Howdy, Mr. Pawl!” says he.
Mr. Pawl just glared at him and banged the counter again.
“I don’t b-b-blame you for being mad,” says Mark. “I’d be madder ’n you are if it was me.”
“If what was you?” says Mr. Pawl.
“If a competitor was t-tryin’ to get ahead of me like yours is tryin’ to get ahead of you.”
“What’s he doin’ now? What’s he doin’ now?” Mr. Pawl yelled at the top of his voice.
“I’ll tell you what I think he’s goin’ to d-d-do,” says Mark. “He’s goin’ to go after your customers hard. He’s goin’ to offer ’em b-bargains, and maybe he’ll have somethin’ to say about you.”
“What d’you mean? How’ll he offer bargains? Where’ll he say anythin’ about me?”