“Ho, that’s nothing,” said Anthony. “I could eat twice as much, just as easy.”
“Let’s see you do it!” said Slim suddenly.
145Anthony looked rather taken aback.
“Yes,” said Uncle Teddy, “let’s see you do it. Make good your boast. We’re not in the habit of saying things around here that we can’t back up. Twice four cups is eight. You’ve had one; that leaves seven. We challenge you to drink seven cups of soup. You’ve either got to drink them or do anything else Slim tells you to do. Slim, what’s the alternative?”
“Eat soap,” said Slim promptly.
Katherine grinned appreciatively at him. “Do you hear that, Anthony?”
Anthony began to look sick. “I’ll do it tomorrow,” he said.
“No, you’ll not!” said Slim. “You’ll do it right here and now before all these folks.”
Anthony looked beseechingly at Uncle Teddy, but the latter was looking at him sternly. “You brought it upon yourself,” he said. “Now either make good your boast or take the alternative.”
Slim filled the cup and handed it to Anthony. “I bet I can do it,” he said defiantly, and set it to his lips. With the first mouthful his face puckered up. The soup was red hot with pepper. He himself had sprinkled a generous quantity into the kettle after touching up his own cupful. But he had been more generous than he knew.