The elector, however, was of a different mind. He greeted his mother with a howl and a series of windmill revolutions of his arms and legs as she caught him up.
"Got mighty free knee-action," remarked Shoop. "Mebby when he's bedded down for the night you can come over to the 'Palace.'"
"I'll be right with you." And the sheriff slipped into his coat. "How you feeling, Jack?"
"Pretty good. That's a great boy of yours."
"Sure got your brand," added Shoop. "Built close to the ground like his dad."
Sheriff Banks accepted these hardy compliments with an embarrassed grin and followed his guests to the doorway.
"Good-night!" called Mrs. Jim from the obscurity of the bedroom.
"Good-night, ma'am!" from Shoop.
"Good-night!" said Corliss. "Take good care of that yearling."
"Well, now, John, as if I wouldn't!"