“Is Mrs. Sniff at home?”
“How do you suppose I know, young man? These ain’t calling hours on the Point.”
“Well, they’re business hours, all right, Twombley. See here, my friend, I’m going to hire that house of Mrs. Sniff if I can.”
Twombley’s slits came close together.
“Yes?” was all he vouchsafed.
“Yes. And I wish you’d pass the word along, my friend.”
“I don’t pass nothing!” Twombley interrupted. “I take all I kin git. I make use of what I can. The rest, I chuck.”
“Well, have it your own way, but I’m your friend, Twombley, and the friend of your neighbours. I cannot say more now––but you’ll all believe it some day.”
“Maclin standing back of yer, young feller?”
“Yes. And that’s where you’ve made another bad guess, Twombley. Maclin’s your friend, only he isn’t free to speak out just now.”