“Probably not, seeing that you haven’t got any.”
I let it go at that, having no sensible explanation to give a business man like my uncle.
“So, as it stands,” he went on, “it’s a case of neck-and-neck whether he’ll jew you or you’ll jew him. As bad as I hate him I’m getting to hate you worse! I hope he’ll stick you. But I doubt it. A young pirate who can step in here and steal a whole wood-lot right under the noses of men who ought to know better is qualified to give old Judas I-scarrot lessons in deviltry.”
“I don’t blame you for feeling pleased and for praising me, Uncle Deck. I certainly am doing credit to your training.”
“But as first selectman of this town I’ve got a reputation to look after, and where will I get off with one of my blood and name serving time in State prison for grand larceny?”
“Oh, I’m not going to State prison.”
“You will, with that old devil after you, surer’n hell’s down-hill!”
“We’re sort of partners, the judge and I.” I decided that I might as well give him a jolt or two, even if his common sense did tell him that I was lying.
“Oh, bah-h-h!” he yelped.
“And as his partner I want to warn you against trying to trig his business affairs.”