“Yes,” said Thad, “but how about the difference it might make to—“ he paused and looked at his pardner helplessly. “Ahem—to—I mean——“
Bob spoke quickly:
“To you an’ Saint Jimmy, ma’am. What difference will it make to you folks?”
Thad drew a deep breath of relief and rubbed his bald head with satisfaction.
Mother Burton met them bravely with:
“Nothing that you have to tell can change our feeling for Marta. I could not love her more if she were my own daughter.”
The two old men looked at Saint Jimmy eagerly.
“You dead sure that nothin’ would make you change toward our gal?” demanded Bob.
“You plumb certain, be you, sir?” said old Thad.
Saint Jimmy smiled reassuringly.