“Ah’m glad ter meet yer,� said Pompey ceremoniously, “ah hopes yo all is mo’ circumambulatory in yo’ ways dan dis yar raid haided boy. Gollyumptions, he shuh do make dis chile’s life bud’ensome at times.�
Noddy winked and grinned at Raynor. Then he turned suddenly and looked at Pompey with what appeared to be consternation.
“Gee! what’s dat you got in yer wool, Jupe?� he exclaimed, for the cook had taken his white cap off so as not to get it dirty during his culinary operations.
“In mah hair, Noddy?� asked Pompey.
“Yes, sir, in your hair. It’s big and white and round.�
Pompey investigated his wooly poll, scratching it carefully all over. Of course he found nothing.
“Guess yo’ all am tryin’ ter fool dis chile,� he said, with a good-natured grin, which showed a double set of white teeth.
“No, I ain’t. On the level, look!� The Bowery boy reached for the negro’s head and drew from it an egg. It was a simple sleight of hand trick.
But Pompey stared in amazement at the egg as it lay in Noddy’s palm.
“Land ob Goshen! How dat get dere?� he cried in great astonishment.