The loiterer turned his head lazily without changing the position of his body, squinted searchingly into the store, and then replied that he was.
“Will you ask him to step out here? I want a word or two with him.”
Another searching look into the store. “He seems to be busy, Mister. Leastwise, he’s talkin’ to a couple of men.”
“Tell him his uncle is out here.”
The citizen of Rumley started.
“The one he’s runnin’ against?” he demanded.
“Yes. His Uncle Horace.”
“Well, I guess I can do that much for you, Mr. Gooch,” drawled the other generously, and shuffled slowly into the store. Presently he returned.
“He says to hitch your Ford to that telephone pole and come right in. He’ll be disengaged in a couple of minutes.”
Mr. Gooch glared. “You tell him I swore never to enter that store again. If he wants to see me he will have to come out here.”