Teenie nudged his friend from behind, as a sign that he should speak up promptly; and Carrots, catching his breath much as one does after a plunge in cold water, began:
"There's a feller what walked down from Saranac, that's goin' to be took inter the Tombs court this mornin' for fightin' in City Hall Park, an' we've come to see how much it would cost to hire you to git him out."
"I might defend him, but I couldn't agree to get him out. That depends on the judge."
"Well, you could make the talk, an' I reckon when the thing's put up right they'll have to let him go, 'cause he didn't do anything."
"'IT WAS JEST LIKE THIS,' SAID CARROTS."
"Suppose you tell me the whole story, and I shall be better able to judge what they may be obliged to do."
"It was jest like this: You see, Skip he come up an' hit Teddy in the jaw, and Teddy tried to hit back. Skip let out with a left-hander; Teddy warded it off. Then Skip jumped; down went the papers. Skip got frightened of a cop; he started to run, Teddy after him, an' Teddy was 'rested, and that's all there is 'bout it."
"That may be the whole of the story; but I must confess I don't understand it yet."