"Gimme dis heah mule, boy—an' a saddle," he said to the brunet guardian of the neighbour's mule. "I needs him temporary."
"How come?"
"I craves him fo' de Culled Heroes' Parade. Some day I gives you two bits does you lend him half a day. All he does in heah is eat you po' an' wake folks up."
"Whah at's de two bits?" The exchange was effected, and presently, leading the mule and the festooned mascot, the Wildcat arrived at the rendezvous in front of Willie Webster's establishment. He tethered the mule to a hitching post and led Lily into the barber shop.
"How come de goat?" one of the assemblage questioned.
"See dem stripes? Lily went th'oo more battles dan you has sense. F'm now on, whah at I is, Lily is. Bible says, 'Whah at de goat, dere is Ah also goat.' Stan' up heah, Lily."
The mascot was vainly endeavouring to eat the feathers from the top of her own head.
"Ca'm yo'se'f. Whah at's de Supreem Parade Leadeh?"
Honey Tone Boone stepped out of the adjoining room. "'At you, Wildcat? Whah at's mah steed?"
"Hitched outdoors. Sho' is rarin' to go. Parade-leadinest mule Ah eveh see."