“Jumpin' Judas! ASKED us! Do you mean to say you're thinkin' of doin' what he asked? Are you loony, too? Are you—”
“Shh, Shadrach! He asked us, as a last favor, to take charge of his girl. I feel as you do that we can't do it, 'tain't sensible nor possible for us to do it, but—”
“There ain't any buts.”
“But the very least we can do is go and see her and talk to her.”
“What for? So we'll feel meaner and more sneaky when we HAVE to say no? I shan't go to see her.”
“All right. Then I shall. You can wait here for me till I come back.”
“Hold on, Zoeth! Hold on! Don't—”
But Mr. Hamilton was at the door and did not turn back. Judge Baxter, who was following him, spoke.
“Sit right here, Captain,” he said. “Make yourself as comfortable as you can. We shan't be long.”
For an instant Shadrach remained where he was. Then he, too, sprang to his feet. He overtook the lawyer just as the latter reached the side door.