Tommie, the mild, called out, “Just one layer of varnish off will do the trick, Jimmie.”
Naturally, the man at the wheel of that automobile expected the trolley car to stop. Had it been an ordinary trolley car, at the service of mere citizens, it must have stopped, but being an Independent State of Modern Progress, it left restraint behind, and could be seen to move toward that automobile.
“Shove, you shover!” shouted the tallest of the young men.
It was high time. The side of 809 hit the rear tire with a rubbery shriek. The red automobile went over a small knoll of loose stone and bunch-grass, to the left of the road, and disappeared from view.
“They can get her back again, all right enough,” said one of the young men whose severe face suggested the mechanical engineer. “Just erect a capstan on top of the hill, and winch her right back. I don’t know how far she has gone down the other side. Wish I had asked you to stop, and put in a bid for the job.”
“Too late,” said Tommie. “There is a long slant ahead of us, and we’re really going to run.”
“I could die trolleying!” cooed the stout young man. “Hit her up in front!” He clambered over the seats toward the front of the car.
In the general joy and enthusiasm then prevailing another young man began to ring up fares.
“Hey! What yer doin’?” shouted Tommie in the grip of habit. Then he remembered. “Let her sizzle,” said he. “No harm done.”
The register rang. The signal bell rang. Both gongs rang. It was somewhat like a party of Swiss bell-ringers tobogganing down the Matterhorn. Untrained horses walked upon their hind legs, and the vox populi was hushed.