Very deprecatingly, Tomlin spread out his large hands, palm uppermost, as if he wished the ladies to infer that he came empty-handed into a fight not of his seeking.
"I repeat, ma'am, he's threatening us. He's talking of trying to ruin us."
"Talkin' through his hat," murmured Quinney.
Susan tossed her head impatiently.
"You'll have to speak more plainly, Mr. Tomlin, if you wish me to understand what you're driving at."
Tomlin, cornered by Susan's direct methods in striking opposition to his own, fetched a compass, and began again more warily:
"Is it possible that you contemplate leaving the most faithful husband in the world, ma'am?"
Quinney chuckled, rubbing his hands.
"That's better. Now, Susie, you listen to Tom, if you won't listen to me."
"I've listened patiently to you, Joe, for just twenty years. It's about time I did a bit of talking, and that you did the listening."