"I doubt it."
"I don't care for your opinion! I know one thing. They ought to have somebody else to mind the bridge, and perhaps they will have before long."
"Why, what do you mean?" asked Ralph, in quick alarm.
"Ha! ha! I thought that would wake you up."
"Is somebody trying to undermine me?"
"You'll hear of it soon enough, never fear."
And with this parting shot, which was not without its effect, Percy started to cross the bridge.
"Hold on!" cried Ralph.
"What do you want now?"