“Naw, I shouldn't care to go,” he answered rudely, “I'm pulling out of here as soon as I can get that machine of mine running. By the way, I've been doing some telephoning”—he slung a ten dollar note on the desk. “I didn't ask how much it was, guess that'll cover it. Now, help me to the big chair and I'll sample your breakfast.”
The minister picked up the young man easily and placed him in the big chair before the guest realized what was doing, and then turned and took the ten dollar bill between his thumb and finger and flipped it down in the young man's lap.
“Keep it,” he said briefly, “It's of no consequence.”
“But it was long distance,” explained the guest loftily, “It'll be quite a sum. I talked overtime.”
“No matter,” said the minister pulling out a drawer of the desk and gathering a few papers and his Bible. “Now, would you like me to look at that ankle before I go, or will you wait for the doctor? He's likely to be back before long, and I've left a call for him.”
“I'll wait for the doctor,” the young man's tone approached the insolent note again, “and by the way, I wish you'd send for a mechanician. I've got to get that car running.”
“I'm sorry,” said Severn, “I'm afraid you'll have to wait. The only one in this region that would be at all likely to help you out with those bearings is Carter. He has a car, or had one, of that make. He might happen to have some bearings, but it is not at all likely. Or, he could tow you ten miles to Monopoly. But Carter is not at home yet.”
The young man fairly frothed at the mouth: “Do you mean to tell me that there is no one can mend a broken machine around this forsaken dump? Where's your nearest garage? Send for a man to come at once. I'm willing to pay anything,” he flourished a handful of bills.
The minister looked at his watch anxiously: “I'm sorry,” he said again, “I've got to go to the service now. There is a garage at Monopoly and their number is 97-M. You can phone them if you are not satisfied. I tried them quite early this morning while you were still sleeping, but there was nothing doing. The truth is the people around this region are a little prejudiced against working seven days out of the week, although they will help a man out in a case like yours when they can, but it seems the repair man, the only one who knows about bearings, has gone fifty miles in another direction to a funeral and won't be back till to-morrow morning. Now, if you're quite comfortable I'll have to leave you for a little while. It is time for my service to begin.”
The young man looked at his host with astonishment. He was not used to being treated in this off-hand way. He could hardly believe his ears. Throw back his money and lay down the law that way!