"I have told you everything just as it is," answered the other.
"Then you may tell Michael that he is a blockhead. Be sure you tell him so, will you?"
"Yes, Master Baptist, I will tell him this very evening. But what if he says it isn't so?"
"If he answers that it isn't so, no later than to-morrow you will have notice served on him."
The idea of sending his adversary a stamped document seemed to fill the plaintiff with keen joy.
"I surely will serve notice on him!" he gleefully exclaimed.
Then, scratching his head: "But suppose he won't have notice served on him, what then?"
At these words Master Baptist rose on a gust of excitement. I am not aware what his idea was of a man "who will not have notice served on him." But the case manifestly appeared to him out of all measure horrific. An agonized silence followed. Then the storm burst.
"If he refuses to have notice served on him," thundered Master Baptist, "you may take your two hoofs and give him a couple of swift kicks in the shins."
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. The point of law was solved. The plaintiff, his spirit forever at rest, vigorously fell upon his judge's hand and pressed it, along with what was left of his hat.