"No!"
Watkins chuckled. "I'll bet you will."
"Don't make it mad," said Adam.
"I won't take my trousers off."
"If we took them off, it might soothe this monster," suggested Villa. "Let us throw him down and take off his pants."
"Try it," said Calvin. The Mexican started toward him. Then the creature had lifted him high in the air, peering closely at the trousers. It tugged at them. "Ouch!" said Calvin. The beast would tear them off; the humiliation of that would be worse than removing them himself. It might rip them to shreds. He loosened his belt and unbuttoned and unzipped just in time; they came off over his shoes and were held up in front of the sunken red eyes. Calvin was set down, carefully enough, and the garment was handed to the other monstrosities. Calvin cast a look at the stool. He was glad his wife was not witnessing his shame.
"Nice shorts," said Villa.
Full whirled on him, angry enough to bark out an insult, even an oath, but the man was evidently sincere in his praise.
"Thank you," he said stiffly.
His trousers were thrown to him and he shoved his feet into them and secured them once more. He put on his jacket.