“George Rapp brought it down to me,” he said. “I thought you were in for six months.”
“Sheriff discharged me,” said Booge. “I ate too much. He couldn't figure a profit, so he kicked me out.”
“You don't mean it!”
“No, teacher excused me at noon so I could go to dancing class,” said Booge.
“How did you get out?” Peter insisted. “There wasn't room for me and Briggles in the same jail,” said Booge. “We was always singin' out of harmony.”
“Was Briggles in jail?”
“They caught the old kazoozer, kazoozer, kazoozer,
They caught the old kazoozer and took him to the jail,”
hummed Booge, “and I got excused so I could go and hunt up Susie: I was her responsible guardian. Ain't that a joke?”
“What are you going to do now?” asked Peter.
“I dunno!” said Booge thoughtfully. “I ain't made up my mind whether to run for mayor or buy the op'ry house, but if anybody was to give me a nickel I'd give up whisky and buy beer. If not, I'll stand around here 'til I do get arrested. The town cop has promised and promised to do it, but he ain't reliable. I've got so I don't depend on his word no more.”