Wa-al then. Then that there Eye-talian colony got so big over to Cove Neck, and, seeing as how their votes war only a dollar apiece and a kiss for the babies, why, our votes warn’t strong enough to beat the politicians.
THE DEVIL
You see, money has a long memory, Sheriff. And it always wins in the end.
PEATTIE
But think of all the good he done in them fifteen years.
THE DEVIL
With the result that the railroad doesn’t run within seven miles of this village and the population has fallen to two thousand inhabitants.
PEATTIE (sulkily)
Wa-al—we’re all Amurricans, anyway. It kept the Eye-talians and the Polacks out. You—can’t—buy—votes—here—and he (points to Schwartzenhopfel, meaning Magnus) can’t scare anybody like he kin New Yorkers. (He jerks his head with a sneer at the Detectives) Keeping ’em from arresting the man they’re sent to git—a furriner—not Amurrican, mind—a cowardly furriner that blows people up. Magnus, nor twenty Magnuses couldn’t keep me from doing my dooty on sich a villin—couldn’t keep any real Amurrican. (Turning to the Detectives) I’ll bet you folks ain’t Amurricans?
LIEUTENANT (who all along has spoken with an Irish accent, and now, when violently angry, speaks with a pronounced brogue) Go on, ye scut! (He makes threatening motion at him)